--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is not enough for poems to be…" description: "\"“It is not enough for poems to be beautiful; they must be affecting, and must lead the heart of the hearer as they will.”\" — Horace" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7e/horace-172_beauty_it-is-not-enough-for-poems-to-be-beautif_1297763.jpg" --- # It is not enough for poems to be beautiful; they must be… ![“It is not enough for poems to be beautiful; they must be affecting, and must lead the heart of the hearer as they will.” quote by Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7e/horace-172_beauty_it-is-not-enough-for-poems-to-be-beautif_1297763.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7e/horace-172_beauty_it-is-not-enough-for-poems-to-be-beautif_1297763.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7e/horace-172_beauty_it-is-not-enough-for-poems-to-be-beautif_1297763.jpg) > ““It is not enough for poems to be beautiful; they must be affecting, and must lead the heart of the hearer as they will.”” [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Poems must move the reader emotionally, not just look pretty. **In simple terms:** Poems need feeling, not just beauty. Key Takeaway Write to touch hearts. Themes art emotion poetry Mood reflective inspirational Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - Literary analysis - creative writing - public speaking Key Concepts Aesthetic affect engagement Questions to Reflect On - How do you make your writing affect others? - What emotions do you aim to evoke? A Different Perspective Beauty alone may not sustain impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Affecting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affecting/) [Beautiful Affecting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beautiful-affecting-4250039/) [Beauty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty/) [Heart Hearer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart-hearer-4250038/) [Poems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poems/) [Poems Beautiful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poems-beautiful-2524977/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) ## Related quotes > [“Children are like poems. They're beautiful -- to their creators -- but to others they're just silly and fucking annoying.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-stanhope/children-are-like-poems-they-re-beautiful-to-their-creators-but-to/) [Doug Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-stanhope/) > [It is not enough for poems to be fine; they must charm, and draw the mind of the listener at will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/it-is-not-enough-for-poems-to-be-fine-they-must-charm-and-draw-the/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Smog is affecting larger parts of China, and environmental pollution has become a major problem, which is nature's red-light warning against the model of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-keqiang/smog-is-affecting-larger-parts-of-china-and-environmental-pollution-2/) [Li Keqiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-keqiang/) > [For me, what works well about 'Life in a Day' is that it's emotionally affecting without being manipulative. It really does make you think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-macdonald/for-me-what-works-well-about-life-in-a-day-is-that-it-s-emotionally/) [Kevin Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-macdonald/) > [Sometimes you wonder if television is really affecting the culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-howard/sometimes-you-wonder-if-television-is-really-affecting-the-culture/) [Ken Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-howard/) > [Get into the habit of imagining an alternate scenario. By posing such 'imagine if' questions... we can distance ourselves from the frames, cues, anchors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noreena-hertz/get-into-the-habit-of-imagining-an-alternate-scenario-by-posing-such/) [Noreena Hertz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noreena-hertz/) > [The very fact that women now form about one-fifth of the employes in manufacture and commerce in this country has opened a vast field…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-kelley/the-very-fact-that-women-now-form-about-one-fifth-of-the-employes-in/) [Florence Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-kelley/) > [I'm not somebody who takes stuff home with them, that if I shoot a scene and I'm personally impacted for days or something. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geena-davis/i-m-not-somebody-who-takes-stuff-home-with-them-that-if-i-shoot-a/) [Geena Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geena-davis/) > [Every man has an atmosphere which is affecting every other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-george-jordan/every-man-has-an-atmosphere-which-is-affecting-every-other/) [William George Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-george-jordan/) > [Issues affecting tribal communities have routinely been minimized and ignored.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharice-davids/issues-affecting-tribal-communities-have-routinely-been-minimized-and/) [Sharice Davids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharice-davids/) > [Beauty in distress is much the most affecting beauty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/beauty-in-distress-is-much-the-most-affecting-beauty/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [Primarily affecting low-information voters and members of the mainstream media, Obama Worship Syndrome attributes impossible capabilities to Obama's political opponents, finds excuses for every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-shapiro/primarily-affecting-low-information-voters-and-members-of-the/) [Ben Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-shapiro/) > [“Stories are always braided together - one affecting the other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-callahan-henry/stories-are-always-braided-together-one-affecting-the-other/) [Patti Callahan Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-callahan-henry/) > [When you're an artist, you can't write with the intent of affecting anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-you-re-an-artist-you-can-t-write-with-the-intent-of-affecting/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [Conservatism is affecting the way women perceive who they are in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cate-blanchett/conservatism-is-affecting-the-way-women-perceive-who-they-are-in-the/) [Cate Blanchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cate-blanchett/) ## More by Horace > [Strange - is it not? That of the myriads who Before us passed the door of Darkness through, Not one returns to tell us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/strange-is-it-not-that-of-the-myriads-who-before-us-passed-the-door/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [“Finxerunt animi, raro et perpauca loquentis. (To action little, less to words inclinded.)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/finxerunt-animi-raro-et-perpauca-loquentis-to-action-little-less-to/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [No verse can give pleasure for long, nor last, that is written by drinkers of water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/no-verse-can-give-pleasure-for-long-nor-last-that-is-written-by/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Fate with impartial hand turns out the doom of high and low; her capacious urn is constantly shaking the names of all mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/fate-with-impartial-hand-turns-out-the-doom-of-high-and-low-her/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [A word, once sent abroad, flies irrevocably.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/a-word-once-sent-abroad-flies-irrevocably/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [“Natales grate numeras? (Do you count your birthdays with gratitude?)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/natales-grate-numeras-do-you-count-your-birthdays-with-gratitude/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [ In a moment comes either death or joyful victory. \[Lat., Horae Momento cita mors venit aut victoria laeta.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/in-a-moment-comes-either-death-or-joyful-victory-lat-horae-momento/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori - It is a sweet and becoming thing to die for ones country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/dulce-et-decorum-est-pro-patria-mori-it-is-a-sweet-and-becoming-thing/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [ Neither men, nor gods, nor booksellers' shelves permit ordinary poets to exist. \[Lat., Mediocribus esse poetis Non homines, non di, non concessere columnae.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/neither-men-nor-gods-nor-booksellers-shelves-permit-ordinary-poets-to/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Don't yield to that alluring witch, laziness, or else be prepared to surrender all that you have won in your better moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/don-t-yield-to-that-alluring-witch-laziness-or-else-be-prepared-to/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Avoid inquisitive persons, for they are sure to be gossips, their ears are open to hear, but they will not keep what is entrusted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/avoid-inquisitive-persons-for-they-are-sure-to-be-gossips-their-ears/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [“You may drive out Nature with a pitchfork, yet she still will hurry back.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/you-may-drive-out-nature-with-a-pitchfork-yet-she-still-will-hurry/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [There is a proper measure in all things, certain limits beyond which and short of which right is not to be found. Who so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/there-is-a-proper-measure-in-all-things-certain-limits-beyond-which/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Never despair while under the guidance and auspices of Teucer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/never-despair-while-under-the-guidance-and-auspices-of-teucer/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Alas, Postumus, the fleeting years slip by, nor will piety give any stay to wrinkles and pressing old age and untamable death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/alas-postumus-the-fleeting-years-slip-by-nor-will-piety-give-any-stay/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) [Explore all 1,000 Horace quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) ## More Affecting quotes > [Conservatism is affecting the way women perceive who they are in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cate-blanchett/conservatism-is-affecting-the-way-women-perceive-who-they-are-in-the/) [Cate Blanchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cate-blanchett/) > [When you're an artist, you can't write with the intent of affecting anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-you-re-an-artist-you-can-t-write-with-the-intent-of-affecting/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“Stories are always braided together - one affecting the other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-callahan-henry/stories-are-always-braided-together-one-affecting-the-other/) [Patti Callahan Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-callahan-henry/) > [Primarily affecting low-information voters and members of the mainstream media, Obama Worship Syndrome attributes impossible capabilities to Obama's political opponents, finds excuses for every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-shapiro/primarily-affecting-low-information-voters-and-members-of-the/) [Ben Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-shapiro/) > [Beauty in distress is much the most affecting beauty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/beauty-in-distress-is-much-the-most-affecting-beauty/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [Issues affecting tribal communities have routinely been minimized and ignored.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharice-davids/issues-affecting-tribal-communities-have-routinely-been-minimized-and/) [Sharice Davids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharice-davids/) > [Every man has an atmosphere which is affecting every other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-george-jordan/every-man-has-an-atmosphere-which-is-affecting-every-other/) [William George Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-george-jordan/) > [I'm not somebody who takes stuff home with them, that if I shoot a scene and I'm personally impacted for days or something. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geena-davis/i-m-not-somebody-who-takes-stuff-home-with-them-that-if-i-shoot-a/) [Geena Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geena-davis/) > [The very fact that women now form about one-fifth of the employes in manufacture and commerce in this country has opened a vast field…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-kelley/the-very-fact-that-women-now-form-about-one-fifth-of-the-employes-in/) [Florence Kelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-kelley/) > [Get into the habit of imagining an alternate scenario. By posing such 'imagine if' questions... we can distance ourselves from the frames, cues, anchors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noreena-hertz/get-into-the-habit-of-imagining-an-alternate-scenario-by-posing-such/) [Noreena Hertz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noreena-hertz/) > [Sometimes you wonder if television is really affecting the culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-howard/sometimes-you-wonder-if-television-is-really-affecting-the-culture/) [Ken Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-howard/) > [For me, what works well about 'Life in a Day' is that it's emotionally affecting without being manipulative. It really does make you think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-macdonald/for-me-what-works-well-about-life-in-a-day-is-that-it-s-emotionally/) [Kevin Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-macdonald/) > [Smog is affecting larger parts of China, and environmental pollution has become a major problem, which is nature's red-light warning against the model of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-keqiang/smog-is-affecting-larger-parts-of-china-and-environmental-pollution-2/) [Li Keqiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-keqiang/) > [We are all affecting the world every moment, whether we mean to or not. Our actions and states of mind matter, because we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/we-are-all-affecting-the-world-every-moment-whether-we-mean-to-or-not/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [Say what you will about Americans, but one thing they are not is passive. The Bush administration may have pushed through the Patriot Act…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-brooke/say-what-you-will-about-americans-but-one-thing-they-are-not-is/) [Heather Brooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-brooke/) [Browse all 59 Affecting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affecting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It is not enough for poems to be beautiful; they must be affecting, and must lead the heart of the hearer as they will.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Horace" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/it-is-not-enough-for-poems-to-be-beautiful-they-must-be-affecting-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Affecting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/it-is-not-enough-for-poems-to-be-beautiful-they-must-be-affecting-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7e/horace-172_beauty_it-is-not-enough-for-poems-to-be-beautif_1297763.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7e/horace-172_beauty_it-is-not-enough-for-poems-to-be-beautif_1297763.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7e/horace-172_beauty_it-is-not-enough-for-poems-to-be-beautif_1297763.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is not enough for poems to be beautiful; they must be affecting, and must lead the heart of the hearer as…” — Horace", "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": "Horace", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“It is not enough for poems...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/it-is-not-enough-for-poems-to-be-beautiful-they-must-be-affecting-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/it-is-not-enough-for-poems-to-be-beautiful-they-must-be-affecting-and/#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 } } ] } ```