---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The commonest error made in relation to…"
description: "\"The commonest error made in relation to poetry is that it consists simply in verse-making. Many confound the casket of meter and rhyme with the jewel o..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/orson-f-whitney-22306_after_the-commonest-error-made-in-relation-to_3108303.jpg"
---

#  The commonest error made in relation to poetry is that it…

![“The commonest error made in relation to poetry is that it consists simply in verse-making. Many confound the casket of meter and rhyme with the jewel of thought which it encloses, and, perhaps, in some instances, after close investigation, they have found the casket empty and turned away with…” quote by Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/orson-f-whitney-22306_after_the-commonest-error-made-in-relation-to_3108303.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/orson-f-whitney-22306_after_the-commonest-error-made-in-relation-to_3108303.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/orson-f-whitney-22306_after_the-commonest-error-made-in-relation-to_3108303.jpg)

> “The commonest error made in relation to poetry is that it consists simply in verse-making. Many confound the casket of meter and rhyme with the jewel of thought which it encloses, and, perhaps, in some instances, after close investigation, they have found the casket empty and turned away with feelings of disappointment and disgust.”

[Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Poetry is often reduced to form, ignoring deeper thought; focusing solely on meter and rhyme can leave the work feeling empty.

**In simple terms:** Poetry’s value lies beyond structure, in its ideas.

Key Takeaway

Seek meaning beyond technical aspects.

Themes

poetry artistic expression critique

Mood

thoughtful inquisitive

Type

analytical educational

When to use this quote

- creative writing
- teaching poetry
- literary criticism

Key Concepts

form vs. content literary analysis

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we balance form and meaning?
- What makes a poem resonate beyond its structure?

A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on form can stifle creativity.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[After](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/after/) [Away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/away/) [Caskets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caskets/) [Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/close/) [Confound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confound-36503/) [Consists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consists/) [Disappointment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disappointment/) [Disgust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disgust/) [Disgusting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disgusting/) [Empty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empty/) [Error](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/error/) [Errors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/errors/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Found](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/found/) [Instance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instance/) [Investigation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investigation/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jewel/) [Jewels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jewels/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Many](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/many/) [Meter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meter/) [Perhaps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perhaps/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Poetry Consists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry-consists-3999956/) [Poetry is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry-is/) [Relation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relation/) [Relation Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relation-poetry-5418338/) [Rhyme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rhyme/) [Simply](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simply/) [Some](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/some/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/) [Thought Encloses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-encloses-5418337/) [Turned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turned/) [Verse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/verse/) [Verse Making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/verse-making-738973/) [Verses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/verses/) [Which](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/which/)

## Related quotes

> [“Sometimes the pagan spirit of Roman poetry arouses qualms. Guibert of Nogent confesses in his autobiography that early in his monastic life he took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-gies/sometimes-the-pagan-spirit-of-roman-poetry-arouses-qualms-guibert-of/)

[Joseph Gies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-gies/)

> [The real challenge of writing songs isn't just writing a bunch of parts - like a verse, chorus, verse - but making something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mercer/the-real-challenge-of-writing-songs-isn-t-just-writing-a-bunch-of/)

[James Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mercer/)

> [“All this is nothing better than the jargon of a conjuror, who picks up phrases he does not understand to confound the credulous people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/all-this-is-nothing-better-than-the-jargon-of-a-conjuror-who-picks-up/)

[Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/)

> [Always zig when people expect you to zag. Confound them!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soledad-o-brien/always-zig-when-people-expect-you-to-zag-confound-them/)

[Soledad O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soledad-o-brien/)

> ['State' can be a word that is a noun or a verb or an adverb - it's kind of why I chose that title.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-rundgren/state-can-be-a-word-that-is-a-noun-or-a-verb-or-an-adverb-it-s-kind/)

[Todd Rundgren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-rundgren/)

> [For true poetry, complete poetry, consists in the harmony of contraries. Hence, it is time to say aloud--and it is here above allthat exceptions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/for-true-poetry-complete-poetry-consists-in-the-harmony-of-contraries/)

[Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/)

> [The life and vigor of poetry consists of the fact that it steps out of itself, tears out a section of religion, then withdraws…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-wilhelm-friedrich-schlegel/the-life-and-vigor-of-poetry-consists-of-the-fact-that-it-steps-out/)

[Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-wilhelm-friedrich-schlegel/)

> [Poetry consists in a rhyming dictionary and things seen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-stein/poetry-consists-in-a-rhyming-dictionary-and-things-seen/)

[Gertrude Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-stein/)

> [Mastery in poetry consists largely in the instinct for not ruining or smothering or tinkering with moments of vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-blunden/mastery-in-poetry-consists-largely-in-the-instinct-for-not-ruining-or/)

[Edmund Blunden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-blunden/)

> [Every science consists in the coordination of facts; if the different observations were entirely isolated, there would be no science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auguste-comte/every-science-consists-in-the-coordination-of-facts-if-the-different/)

[Auguste Comte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auguste-comte/)

> [Christian salvation consists in works. To be saved is to be made holy. To be saved requires our being made part of a people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-hauerwas/christian-salvation-consists-in-works-to-be-saved-is-to-be-made-holy/)

[Stanley Hauerwas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-hauerwas/)

> [Life consists of nothing more than the happiness we can get out of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-anouilh/life-consists-of-nothing-more-than-the-happiness-we-can-get-out-of-it/)

[Jean Anouilh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-anouilh/)

> [Life consists not in holding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gyanendra/life-consists-not-in-holding/)

[Gyanendra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gyanendra/)

> [If I had political responsibility, I would want to prepare for a plan B that would foresee that the European currency union, that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peer-steinbruck/if-i-had-political-responsibility-i-would-want-to-prepare-for-a-plan/)

[Peer Steinbruck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peer-steinbruck/)

> [Their term project consists of a fieldwork collection of folklore that they create by interviewing family members, friends, or anyone they can manage to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dundes/their-term-project-consists-of-a-fieldwork-collection-of-folklore/)

[Alan Dundes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dundes/)

## More by Orson F. Whitney

> [Poetry is the elder sister of history, the mother of language, the ancestress of civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/poetry-is-the-elder-sister-of-history-the-mother-of-language-the/)

[Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/)

> [Our Heavenly Father is far more merciful, infinitely more charitable, than even the best of his servants, and the Everlasting Gospel is mightier in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/our-heavenly-father-is-far-more-merciful-infinitely-more-charitable/)

[Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/)

> [This was one of the greatest test of his faith he had ever experienced. The thought of deceiving the kind and faithful wife of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/this-was-one-of-the-greatest-test-of-his-faith-he-had-ever/)

[Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/)

> [Sound moral principle is the only sure evidence of strength, the only firm foundation of greatness and perpetuity. Where this is lacking, no man's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/sound-moral-principle-is-the-only-sure-evidence-of-strength-the-only/)

[Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/)

> [The God we worship is no respecter of persons, but He is a respecter of men's rights, and a guardian of them-a fact clearly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/the-god-we-worship-is-no-respecter-of-persons-but-he-is-a-respecter/)

[Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/)

> [What has history said of eminence without honor, wealth without wisdom, power and possessions without principle? The answer is reiterated in the overthrow of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/what-has-history-said-of-eminence-without-honor-wealth-without-wisdom/)

[Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/)

> [“They sighed: "This leadeth to captivity-- Perchance destruction, ending dark and dire. Yet must we yield to human liberty Its own, e'en though a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/they-sighed-this-leadeth-to-captivity-perchance-destruction-ending/)

[Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/)

> [Nearly all men and women are poetical, to some extent, but very few can be called poets. There are great poets, small poets, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/nearly-all-men-and-women-are-poetical-to-some-extent-but-very-few-can/)

[Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/)

> [It is my belief that many who think they dislike poetry are really poetical in their natures and are indebted to it, more than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/it-is-my-belief-that-many-who-think-they-dislike-poetry-are-really/)

[Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/)

> [There is nothing so important, so imperative, as the delivery of the divine message that has been entrusted to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/there-is-nothing-so-important-so-imperative-as-the-delivery-of-the/)

[Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/)

> [It is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/it-is-through-sorrow-and-suffering-toil-and-tribulation-that-we-gain/)

[Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/)

> [Poetry is that sentiment of the soul, or faculty of the mind, which enables its possessor to appreciate and realize the heights and depths…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/poetry-is-that-sentiment-of-the-soul-or-faculty-of-the-mind-which/)

[Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/)

> [“Education, human education, is the leading out and lifting up of the soul into the ripe, full enjoyment of all its powes potential. To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/education-human-education-is-the-leading-out-and-lifting-up-of-the/)

[Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/)

> [The redemption of Zion is more than the purchase or recovery of lands, the building of cities, or even the founding of nations. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/the-redemption-of-zion-is-more-than-the-purchase-or-recovery-of-lands/)

[Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/)

> [You parents of the wilful and the wayward! Don't give them up. Don't cast them off. They are not utterly lost. The Shepherd will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/you-parents-of-the-wilful-and-the-wayward-don-t-give-them-up-don-t/)

[Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/)

[Explore all 27 Orson F. Whitney quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/)

## More After quotes

> [At the drop of a hat, people will say there are no roles for women after 40. It's there with a bunch of other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-nicol/at-the-drop-of-a-hat-people-will-say-there-are-no-roles-for-women/)

[Lesley Nicol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-nicol/)

> [When my main character in 'Heat' climbs the tower, the highest diving platform, hoping to resume competitive diving after an injury, I am there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cadnum/when-my-main-character-in-heat-climbs-the-tower-the-highest-diving/)

[Michael Cadnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cadnum/)

> [I was strictly after hits when it came down to the Jackson 5. That's all I was concerned with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deke-richards/i-was-strictly-after-hits-when-it-came-down-to-the-jackson-5-that-s/)

[Deke Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deke-richards/)

> [It's important for American soldiers to be culturally sensitive when deployed in foreign countries. But it's just as important for the U.S. never to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-bauer/it-s-important-for-american-soldiers-to-be-culturally-sensitive-when/)

[Gary Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-bauer/)

> [No lusting after your neighbor's house - or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don't set your heart on anything that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moses/no-lusting-after-your-neighbor-s-house-or-wife-or-servant-or-maid-or/)

[Moses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moses/)

> [After I finished college, I got a job on Wall Street as a derivatives trader, but after a couple years of it, I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philipp-meyer/after-i-finished-college-i-got-a-job-on-wall-street-as-a-derivatives/)

[Philipp Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philipp-meyer/)

> [When good media takes a bounded form, and comes once in a period of time, it begs to be consumed as a whole -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-battelle/when-good-media-takes-a-bounded-form-and-comes-once-in-a-period-of/)

[John Battelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-battelle/)

> [Markets are designed to allow individuals to look after their private needs and to pursue profit. It's really a great invention and I wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-soros/markets-are-designed-to-allow-individuals-to-look-after-their-private/)

[George Soros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-soros/)

> [I have a lot of success and make a good living, but after while, you start going 'Why? Why are you doing all this?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyra-banks/i-have-a-lot-of-success-and-make-a-good-living-but-after-while-you/)

[Tyra Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyra-banks/)

> [See to do good, and you will find that happiness will run after you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-freeman-clarke/see-to-do-good-and-you-will-find-that-happiness-will-run-after-you/)

[James Freeman Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-freeman-clarke/)

> [I went to school at night in L.A. to brush up on my engineering while I applied to the astronaut program. I really did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-jemison/i-went-to-school-at-night-in-l-a-to-brush-up-on-my-engineering-while/)

[Mae Jemison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-jemison/)

> [Sometimes after a compliment about my characterization skills, I'm asked if I model my characters on real people. Emphatically, no. And sort of, yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/sometimes-after-a-compliment-about-my-characterization-skills-i-m/)

[Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/)

> [After The Wizard Of Oz I was typecast as a lion, and there aren't all that many parts for lions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-lahr/after-the-wizard-of-oz-i-was-typecast-as-a-lion-and-there-aren-t-all/)

[Bert Lahr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-lahr/)

> [I'm pretty cautious and not very athletic, so I've only had really dumb injuries, like sprained ankles and allergic reactions. I did have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/i-m-pretty-cautious-and-not-very-athletic-so-i-ve-only-had-really/)

[Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/)

> [I'd like an omelet named after me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rufus-sewell/i-d-like-an-omelet-named-after-me/)

[Rufus Sewell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rufus-sewell/)

[Browse all 3,411 After quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/after/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The commonest error made in relation to poetry is that it consists simply in verse-making. Many confound the casket of meter and rhyme with the jewel of thought which it encloses, and, perhaps, in some instances, after close investigation, they have found the casket empty and turned away with feelings of disappointment and disgust.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Orson F. Whitney"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/the-commonest-error-made-in-relation-to-poetry-is-that-it-consists/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "After"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/the-commonest-error-made-in-relation-to-poetry-is-that-it-consists/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/orson-f-whitney-22306_after_the-commonest-error-made-in-relation-to_3108303.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/orson-f-whitney-22306_after_the-commonest-error-made-in-relation-to_3108303.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/orson-f-whitney-22306_after_the-commonest-error-made-in-relation-to_3108303.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The commonest error made in relation to poetry is that it consists simply in verse-making. Many confound the…” — Orson F. Whitney",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Orson F. Whitney",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The commonest error made in relation...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/the-commonest-error-made-in-relation-to-poetry-is-that-it-consists/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/the-commonest-error-made-in-relation-to-poetry-is-that-it-consists/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
