Aesthetic Quote by David Shields
“Thomas Jefferson went through the New Testament and removed all the miracles, leaving only the teachings. Take a source, extract what appeals to you, discard the rest. Such an act of editorship is bound to reflect something of the individual doing the editing: a plaster cast of an aesthetic-not the actual thing, but the imprint of it.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Reality Hunger by David Shields, 2010
Editing sacred texts to fit personal taste reveals how our choices shape meaning, not the source itself.
In simple terms: Editing shows personal bias.
Key Takeaway
Recognize your own filter.
Themes
interpretation
subjectivity
religion
editing
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal study
- religious teaching
- creative writing
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
Aesthetic theory
personal bias
textual criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does your editing reveal about you?
- How might you honor the source while personalizing?
A Different Perspective
Your edits may misrepresent original intent.
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