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“A high truth, indeed, fairly, finely, and skilfully wrought out, brightening at every step, and crowning the final development of a work of fiction, may add an artistic glory, but is never any truer, and seldom any more evident, at the last page than at the first.” quote by Nathaniel Hawthorne
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“A high truth, indeed, fairly, finely, and skilfully wrought out, brightening at every step, and crowning the final development of a work of fiction, may add an artistic glory, but is never any truer, and seldom any more evident, at the last page than at the first.”

Nathaniel Hawthorne

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Scarlet Letter, 1850

He describes how a work’s artistic brilliance is evident from start to finish, yet true truth shines brightest at the beginning.

In simple terms: Artistic truth appears early, not just at the end.

Key Takeaway

Value early insight in creative work.

Themes

literature art truth

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

  • writing drafts
  • editing
  • critical review

Key Concepts

aesthetic theory narrative structure

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do first impressions always hold?
  • How can later revisions improve a work?
A Different Perspective

Early brilliance may mask deeper flaws later.

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