Imagination Quote by Leo Tolstoy
““One's writing is good only when the intelligence and the imagination are in equilibrium. As soon as one of them overbalances the other, it's all up; you may as well throw it away and begin afresh.””
About This Quote
Source Book: War and Peace, 1869
Writing succeeds when intellect and imagination balance; excess of either disrupts coherence, necessitating a fresh start.
In simple terms: Balance mind and imagination in writing.
Key Takeaway
Maintain equilibrium, rewrite if unbalanced.
Themes
creativity
balance
writing
discipline
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
literary
advice.inspirational
When to use this quote
- novel drafting
- academic essays
- creative brainstorming
- editing process
Key Concepts
cognitive harmony
artistic expression
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure both intellect and imagination guide your work?
- When have you needed to restart a piece to restore balance?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on logic can stifle originality, while unchecked imagination may lack clarity.
![“[The little black boy] had seen Tarzan bring down a buck, just as Numa, the lion, might have done... Tibo had shuddered at the sight, but he had thrilled, too, and for the first time there entered his dull, Negroid mind a vague desire to emulate his savage foster parent. But Tibo, the little black…” quote by Edgar Rice Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0cb/edgar-rice-burroughs-2892_black-boy_the-little-black-boy-had-seen-tarzan-bri_1847181.jpg)
