Art of life Quote by Marguerite Young
“I try to teach my students style, but always as a part of life, not as ornament. Style has to come out of communicating coherent thought, not in sticking little flowers on speeches. Style and substance and a sense of life are the things literature is composed of. One must use one's own personality in relationship to life and language, of course, and everyone has such a relationship. Some people find it, some don't find it, but it's there.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Book of Knowledge, 1941
Style should arise naturally from clear thought and lived experience, not from decorative excess.
In simple terms: Style comes from genuine thought, not ornament.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate authentic voice.
Themes
literature
authenticity
communication
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- teaching
- public speaking
- creative writing
Key Concepts
writing
voice
coherence
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you let personal experience shape your writing?
- What habits distract from clear thought?
A Different Perspective
Style may be constrained by institutional expectations.
