Absolutes Quote by Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel
“German writings attain popularity through a great name, or through personalities, or through good connections, or through effort,or through moderate immorality, or through accomplished incomprehensibility, or through harmonious platitude, or through versatile boredom, or through constant striving after the absolute.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: 1798, "On the Theory of the Progress of the Arts"
Lists many ways works become popular, from name to moral compromise, highlighting the complexity of cultural success.
In simple terms: Popularity stems from many factors, not just merit.
Key Takeaway
Consider diverse influences on success.
Themes
culture
popularity
influence
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
academic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- publishing
- marketing
- artistic creation
Key Concepts
sociology
literary theory
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- Which factor most affects your work?
- Can fame be achieved without compromise?
A Different Perspective
Success can involve ethical compromises.
![“Beauty is a fading flower;”[3] and, applied particularly to woman’s loveliness, there is none more favourite among that bundle of dull platitudes, of insipid, trite commonplaces which enrol themselves under the head of moral maxims. Of course it is true—tiresomely, provokingly, heart-breakingly…” quote by Rhoda Broughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/16a/rhoda-broughton-25508_beauty_beauty-is-a-fading-flower-3-and-applied_371805.jpg)
![“Their [the U.S.’s] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia’s. This is what in defense is referred to as ‘their home — their fortress.’ And good for them, I say. Well done!” quote by Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ec3/vladimir-putin-261_absolutes_their-the-u-s-s-defense-budget-in-absolu_10791.jpg)
