Antiques Quote by Ambrose Bierce
“LAOCOON, n. A famous piece of antique scripture representing a priest of that name and his two sons in the folds of two enormous serpents. The skill and diligence with which the old man and lads support the serpents and keep them up to their work have been justly regarded as one of the noblest artistic illustrations of the mastery of human intelligence over brute inertia.”
About This Quote
The passage celebrates a legendary artifact that depicts a priest and his sons mastering massive serpents, symbolizing human intellect triumphing over raw, unthinking force.
In simple terms: Human intellect over brute force
Key Takeaway
Intelligence can dominate nature
Themes
human mastery
mythic symbolism
artistic illustration
intellectual triumph
nature vs culture
Mood
awe
inspiration
reverence
Type
descriptive
aphor
historical
When to use this quote
- describing a museum exhibit
- analyzing a literary description
- teaching symbolism
- discussing human vs nature
- exploring artistic mastery
Key Concepts
mythology
art history
symbolism
human ingenuity
Practical Applications
- educational lectures on mythic art
- creative writing inspiration
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the serpent represent in this context?
- How does this illustration reflect cultural values?
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