Holy Quran Quote by Laurence B. Brown
““A. Guillaume sums up as follows: The Qurān is one of the world’s classics which cannot be translated without grave loss. It (The Holy Qurān) has a rhythm of peculiar beauty and a cadence that charms the ear. Many Christian Arabs speak of its style with warm admiration, and most Arabists acknowledge its excellence. . . . indeed it may be affirmed that within the literature of the Arabs, wide and fecund as it is both in poetry and in elevated prose, there is nothing to compare with it.376””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Qur'an: A Biography by Karen Armstrong, 2000
The Qur’an’s literary brilliance is rooted in its unique rhythm, cadence, and cultural reverence, making translation inevitably lossy.
In simple terms: Qur’an’s style is unmatched and hard to translate.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate the original language’s beauty.
Themes
literature
translation
culture
religion
beauty
Mood
reverent
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic study
- interfaith dialogue
- language teaching
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
rhythm
cadence
semantic loss
cultural reverence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language shape spiritual experience?
- Can translation ever convey original rhythm?
A Different Perspective
Translations can never fully capture its poetic nuance.
