Art Quote by Jorge Luis Borges
““I reread these negative remarks and realize that I do not know whether music can despair of music or marble of marble. I do know that literature is an art that can foresee the time when it will be silenced, an art that can become inflamed with its own virtue, fall in love with its own decline, and court its own demise.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Immortal” (1931) – collection of reflections on art and time
The passage reflects on art’s self‑awareness, its paradoxical relationship with decay, and its prophetic capacity to anticipate its own silence and decline.
In simple terms: Art knows its own decline and can predict its silence.
Key Takeaway
Recognize art’s fleeting nature and cherish its vitality.
Themes
art
mortality
self‑reflection
creativity
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
Type
philosophical
literary
reflective
When to use this quote
- literary criticism
- philosophical essays
- cultural analysis
Key Concepts
existentialism
aesthetics
temporal awareness
Questions to Reflect On
- How does acknowledging art’s impermanence affect your creative process?
- Can art truly predict its own end?
A Different Perspective
The notion of art “despairing” may be metaphorical, not literal, limiting practical application.
