God given Quote by Kevin Crossley-Holland
““In the beginning was the word, and primitive societies venerated poets second only to their leaders. A poet had the power to name and so to control; he was, literally, the living memory of a group or tribe who would perpetuate their history in song; his inspiration was god given and he was in effect a medium.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Celtic Heroic Age, Kevin Crossley-Holland, 1995
Poets were revered as powerful keepers of memory and identity, able to shape reality through naming.
In simple terms: Poets held cultural power by preserving history in song.
Key Takeaway
Respect and protect the storytellers in your community.
Themes
culture
memory
power
storytelling
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
cultural
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- rituals
- education
- community gatherings
- heritage preservation
Key Concepts
mythology
social cohesion
narrative authority
Questions to Reflect On
- How does naming influence perception?
- What role do modern storytellers play?
A Different Perspective
Modern media can dilute oral traditions, reducing communal impact.
![“[The poet] must write as the interpreter of nature and the legislator of mankind, and consider himself as presiding over the thoughts and manners of future generations, as a being superior to time and place.” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/668/samuel-johnson-50_future-generation_the-poet-must-write-as-the-interpreter-o_3180253.jpg)
