--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A poet or philosopher should have no…" description: "\"“A poet or philosopher should have no fault to find with his age if it only permits him to do his work undisturbed in his own corner; nor with his fate..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c14/arthur-schopenhaur-38338_philosophy_a-poet-or-philosopher-should-have-no-fau_139432.jpg" --- # A poet or philosopher should have no fault to find with… ![“A poet or philosopher should have no fault to find with his age if it only permits him to do his work undisturbed in his own corner; nor with his fate if the corner granted him allows of his following his vocation without having to think about other people. For the brain to be a mere laborer in…” quote by Arthur Schopenhaur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c14/arthur-schopenhaur-38338_philosophy_a-poet-or-philosopher-should-have-no-fau_139432.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c14/arthur-schopenhaur-38338_philosophy_a-poet-or-philosopher-should-have-no-fau_139432.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c14/arthur-schopenhaur-38338_philosophy_a-poet-or-philosopher-should-have-no-fau_139432.jpg) > ““A poet or philosopher should have no fault to find with his age if it only permits him to do his work undisturbed in his own corner; nor with his fate if the corner granted him allows of his following his vocation without having to think about other people. For the brain to be a mere laborer in the service of the belly, is indeed the common lot of almost all those who do not live on the work of their hands; and they are far from being discontented with their lot. But it strikes despair into a man of great mind, whose brain-power goes beyond the measure necessary for the service of the will; and he prefers, if need be, to live in the narrowest circumstances, so long as they afford ihm the free use of his time for the development and application of his faculties; in other words, if they give him the leisure which is invaluable to him. It is otherwise with ordinary people; for them leisure has no value in itself, nor is it, indeed, without its dangers, as these people seem to know. The technical work of our time, which is done to an unprecedented perfection, has, by increasing and multiplying objects of luxury, given the favorites of fortune a choice between more leisure and culture upon the one side, and additional luxury and good living, but with increased activity, upon the other; and true to their character they choose the latter, and prefer champagne to freedom. And they are consistent in their choice; for, to them, every exertion of the mind which does not serve the aims of the will is folly. Intellectual effort for its own sake, they call eccentricity.”” [Arthur Schopenhaur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-schopenhaur/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage argues that intellectuals need leisure to develop their faculties, while ordinary people prioritize material comforts, viewing pure thought as eccentric and unproductive. **In simple terms:** Intellectuals need free time; most people chase comfort. Key Takeaway Protect leisure for deep thinking. Themes intellectualism leisure materialism Mood contemplative critical Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - academic research - artistic creation - personal development - work‑life balance Key Concepts philosophy economics psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can you create time for thought? - What value does pure contemplation hold? A Different Perspective Leisure may be inaccessible for many. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Philosopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosopher/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) ## Related quotes > [“Every work turns against its author: the poem will crush the poet, the system the philosopher, the event the man of action. Destruction awaits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-cioran/every-work-turns-against-its-author-the-poem-will-crush-the-poet-the/) [Emil Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-cioran/) > [“Rose was patently a degenerate. 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But it strikes despair into a man of great mind, whose brain-power goes beyond the measure necessary for the service of the will; and he prefers, if need be, to live in the narrowest circumstances, so long as they afford ihm the free use of his time for the development and application of his faculties; in other words, if they give him the leisure which is invaluable to him. It is otherwise with ordinary people; for them leisure has no value in itself, nor is it, indeed, without its dangers, as these people seem to know. The technical work of our time, which is done to an unprecedented perfection, has, by increasing and multiplying objects of luxury, given the favorites of fortune a choice between more leisure and culture upon the one side, and additional luxury and good living, but with increased activity, upon the other; and true to their character they choose the latter, and prefer champagne to freedom. 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