---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There must be real gods see, the painted…"
description: "\"There must be real gods see, the painted gods how fair!\" — Hilda Doolittle"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f35/hilda-doolittle-7061_art_there-must-be-real-gods-see-the-painted_3025356.jpg"
---

#  There must be real gods see, the painted gods how fair!

![“There must be real gods see, the painted gods how fair!” quote by Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f35/hilda-doolittle-7061_art_there-must-be-real-gods-see-the-painted_3025356.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f35/hilda-doolittle-7061_art_there-must-be-real-gods-see-the-painted_3025356.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f35/hilda-doolittle-7061_art_there-must-be-real-gods-see-the-painted_3025356.jpg)

> “There must be real gods see, the painted gods how fair!”

[Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The poet longs to encounter authentic divine presence, contrasting real gods with painted images.

**In simple terms:** Seek true divinity over false images.

Key Takeaway

Pursue authentic spiritual experiences.

Themes

spirituality art authenticity

Mood

contemplative inquisitive

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

- visiting sacred sites
- studying art
- personal meditation
- creative writing

Key Concepts

mythology symbolism

Questions to Reflect On

- What “painted gods” do you encounter in daily life?
- How can you discern true meaning from illusion?

A Different Perspective

False representations can cloud genuine understanding.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Being real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-real/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Gods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods/)

## Related quotes

> [“Those movies... ridiculously inaccurate. The real gods of Asgard — Thor, Loki, Odin, and the rest — are much more powerful, much more terrifying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/those-movies-ridiculously-inaccurate-the-real-gods-of-asgard-thor/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [I have painted gods, and goddesses too, and my favourite is Ganesha and Radha Krishna.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hansika-motwani/i-have-painted-gods-and-goddesses-too-and-my-favourite-is-ganesha-and/)

[Hansika Motwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hansika-motwani/)

> [So let me tell you what I think about gods. I think a real god is not going to be so scared or angry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/so-let-me-tell-you-what-i-think-about-gods-i-think-a-real-god-is-not/)

[Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/)

> [“I saw my real gods . . the gods of most men. Food, drink, and security in conformity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-rice/i-saw-my-real-gods-the-gods-of-most-men-food-drink-and-security-in/)

[Anne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-rice/)

> [They're Lares. House gods." "House gods," Percy said. "Like...smaller than real gods, but larger than apartment gods?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/they-re-lares-house-gods-house-gods-percy-said-like-smaller-than-real/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [“Half Gods are worshipped with wine and Flowers. Real Gods require Blood.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zora-neale-hurston/half-gods-are-worshipped-with-wine-and-flowers-real-gods-require-blood/)

[Zora Neale Hurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zora-neale-hurston/)

> [You've noticed a change huh ? She doesn't text you as often . She never calls you anymore . When she does text you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delaney-ridnour/you-ve-noticed-a-change-huh-she-doesn-t-text-you-as-often-she-never/)

[Delaney Ridnour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delaney-ridnour/)

> [Give yourself a chance to live because nobody will live it for you when you die](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/give-yourself-a-chance-to-live-because-nobody-will-live-it-for-you/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Laugh at every mistakes and realize that no one is perfect. We are human. All of us are imperfect, so there's no point judging…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/laugh-at-every-mistakes-and-realize-that-no-one-is-perfect-we-are/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I think about everyone in my life that was harsh with me or who gave me tough love and told me things that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlamagne-tha-god/i-think-about-everyone-in-my-life-that-was-harsh-with-me-or-who-gave/)

[Charlamagne Tha God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlamagne-tha-god/)

> [When you speak the truth watch the fuck niggas start hating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-speak-the-truth-watch-the-fuck-niggas-start-hating/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [When you are important to another person, they will always find a way to make time for you - no excuses, no lies, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-are-important-to-another-person-they-will-always-find-a-way/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Going through unknown people's profiles and judging them by their pictures is totally normal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pradeep-chandra/going-through-unknown-people-s-profiles-and-judging-them-by-their/)

Pradeep Chandra

> [Well, I don't want to be king, I want to be real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lennon/well-i-don-t-want-to-be-king-i-want-to-be-real/)

[John Lennon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lennon/)

> [Don't be in such a hurry to condemn a person because she doesn't do what you do, or think as you think or as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcom-x/don-t-be-in-such-a-hurry-to-condemn-a-person-because-she-doesn-t-do/)

[Malcom X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcom-x/)

## More by Hilda Doolittle

> [“Sheltered Garden" I have had enough. I gasp for breath. Every way ends, every road, every foot-path leads at last to the hill-crest-- then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/sheltered-garden-i-have-had-enough-i-gasp-for-breath-every-way-ends/)

[Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/)

> [That way of inspiration is always open, and open to everyone; it acts as go-between, interpreter, it explains symbols of the past in to-day's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/that-way-of-inspiration-is-always-open-and-open-to-everyone-it-acts/)

[Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/)

> [Could beauty be beaten out, O youth the cities have sent to strike at each other's strength, it is you who have kept her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/could-beauty-be-beaten-out-o-youth-the-cities-have-sent-to-strike-at/)

[Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/)

> [The Christos-image is most difficult to disentangle from its art-craft junk-shop paint-and-plaster medieval jumble of pain-worship and death-symbol.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/the-christos-image-is-most-difficult-to-disentangle-from-its-art/)

[Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/)

> [When you would think, "what was the use of it," you'll remember something you can't grasp and you'll wonder what it was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/when-you-would-think-what-was-the-use-of-it-you-ll-remember-something/)

[Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/)

> [The quivering of Psyche's butterflies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/the-quivering-of-psyche-s-butterflies/)

[Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/)

> [Thoth, Hermes, the stylus, the palette, the pen, the quill endure, though our books are a floor of smouldering ash under our feet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/thoth-hermes-the-stylus-the-palette-the-pen-the-quill-endure-though/)

[Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/)

> [My eye-balls are glass, my limbs marble, my face fixed in its marble mask.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/my-eye-balls-are-glass-my-limbs-marble-my-face-fixed-in-its-marble/)

[Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/)

> [The things I have are nameless, old and true; they may not be named; few may live and know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/the-things-i-have-are-nameless-old-and-true-they-may-not-be-named-few/)

[Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/)

> [Soft are the hands of Love, but what soft hands clutched at the thorny ground, scratched like a small white ferret or foraging whippet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/soft-are-the-hands-of-love-but-what-soft-hands-clutched-at-the-thorny/)

[Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/)

> [The elixir of life, the philosopher's stone is yours if you surrender sterile logic, trivial reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/the-elixir-of-life-the-philosopher-s-stone-is-yours-if-you-surrender/)

[Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/)

> [Until it seems the whole city will be covered with gold pollen shaken from the bell-towers, lilies plundered with the weight of massive bees . . .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/until-it-seems-the-whole-city-will-be-covered-with-gold-pollen-shaken/)

[Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/)

> [Alas, day, you brought light, You trailed splendour You showed us god: I salute you, most precious one, But I go to a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/alas-day-you-brought-light-you-trailed-splendour-you-showed-us-god-i/)

[Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/)

> [Let Love step down, open the clasped hands, forfeit the thorny crown, retrieve the garment that was whole, body and spirit one, spirit and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/let-love-step-down-open-the-clasped-hands-forfeit-the-thorny-crown/)

[Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/)

> [(Those women whom the distaff no longer claims nor spun cloth) driven made, mad, mad by Bacchus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/those-women-whom-the-distaff-no-longer-claims-nor-spun-cloth-driven/)

[Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/)

[Explore all 95 Hilda Doolittle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/)

## More Art quotes

> [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/)

[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/)

> [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/)

[Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/)

> [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/)

[Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/)

> [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/)

[Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/)

> [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/)

[Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/)

> [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/)

[Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/)

> [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/)

Taf Teh

> [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/)

[Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/)

> [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/)

[Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/)

> [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/)

[Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/)

> [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/)

[G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/)

> [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/)

[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/)

> [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/)

[Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/)

> [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/)

[Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/)

[Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "There must be real gods see, the painted gods how fair!",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Hilda Doolittle"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/there-must-be-real-gods-see-the-painted-gods-how-fair/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Art"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/there-must-be-real-gods-see-the-painted-gods-how-fair/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f35/hilda-doolittle-7061_art_there-must-be-real-gods-see-the-painted_3025356.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f35/hilda-doolittle-7061_art_there-must-be-real-gods-see-the-painted_3025356.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f35/hilda-doolittle-7061_art_there-must-be-real-gods-see-the-painted_3025356.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“There must be real gods see, the painted gods how fair!” — Hilda Doolittle",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Hilda Doolittle",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "There must be real gods see,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/there-must-be-real-gods-see-the-painted-gods-how-fair/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/there-must-be-real-gods-see-the-painted-gods-how-fair/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
