Books Quote by George Will
![“[Cultural relativism] licenses the envy of the untalented, giving rise to what has been called the revenge of failure: Those who cannot paint destroy the canons of painting; those who cannot write reject canonical literature.” quote by George Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/10e/george-will-1177_books_cultural-relativism-licenses-the-envy-of_246138.jpg)
“[Cultural relativism] licenses the envy of the untalented, giving rise to what has been called the revenge of failure: Those who cannot paint destroy the canons of painting; those who cannot write reject canonical literature.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Cultural Relativism, George Will, 1990
The quote criticizes how cultural relativism can excuse mediocrity, leading talent to attack established standards in art and literature.
In simple terms: Relativism can make the untalented attack the talented.
Key Takeaway
Beware of using relativism to undermine excellence.
Themes
cultural relativism
mediocrity
art criticism
literary standards
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- literary review
- academic debate
- creative workshops
Key Concepts
relativism
canon
failure
revenge
Questions to Reflect On
- Does relativism protect the mediocre?
- When is challenging the canon constructive?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook genuine innovation that challenges norms.
