Aim Quote by Horace
“The aim of the poet is to inform or delight, or to combine together, in what he says, both pleasure and applicability to life. In instructing, be brief in what you say in order that your readers may grasp it quickly and retain it faithfully. Superfluous words simply spill out when the mind is already full. Fiction invented in order to please should remain close to reality.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: Ars Poetica, c. 19 BC
Poetry should be concise, useful, enjoyable, and grounded in reality, avoiding unnecessary words.
In simple terms: Good poetry is brief, useful, enjoyable, and realistic.
Key Takeaway
Write clearly and purposefully.
Themes
poetry
clarity
utility
reality
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
instructional
When to use this quote
- teaching writing
- editing
- creative workshops
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
literary theory
writing craft
communication
Questions to Reflect On
- How does brevity affect impact?
- When is excess acceptable?
A Different Perspective
May undervalue artistic freedom or abstraction.
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