Citing Quote by George Steiner
“When the modern scholar cites from a classic text, the quotation seems to burn a hole in his own drab page.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: After Babel, George Steiner, 1975
Citing classics can feel oppressive, highlighting the gap between past brilliance and present mediocrity
In simple terms: Quoting great works can feel like a stark contrast to one’s own dullness
Key Takeaway
Recognize the weight of tradition in your work
Themes
literature
critique
self-awareness
Mood
introspective
analytical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- public speaking
- creative drafting
Key Concepts
intertextuality
cultural memory
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you let classic influences dominate your voice?
- How can you integrate tradition without feeling constrained?
A Different Perspective
Relying too heavily on past may stifle originality
![“Some [intentional communities], like the Shakers and the Harmony Society, have endured for a century or even longer. The Hutterians, to cite an extreme example, are today still strongly committed to communal living after practicing it, punctuated only by occasional lapses into private enterprise…” quote by Benjamin Zablocki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3ac/benjamin-zablocki-164471_business_some-intentional-communities-like-the-sh_110542.jpg)
