Artist Quote by Jean-Paul Sartre
“That of War and Peace or of Almagestes. All are satisfactory. The only criterion of a work is its validity: that it should grip and that it should last.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Literary criteria, 1945
A work’s value lies in its ability to engage and endure, not in subject matter.
In simple terms: A good work must grip and last.
Seek lasting impact over fleeting novelty.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- book selection
- academic study
- creative writing
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you measure a work’s lasting power?
- What makes a story timeless?
Popularity does not guarantee lasting significance.