Balanced Quote by Paul Valery
“...in song the words tend to lose their significance, do often lose it, while at the other extreme, in current prose it is the musical value that tends to disappear - so that verse stands symmetrically, as it were, between song, on the one hand, and prose on the other - and is thus admirably and delicately balanced between the sensual and the intellectual power of language.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Art of Poetry, 1917
Modern prose often loses musicality, while verse balances song and prose, blending sensual and intellectual language.
In simple terms: Poetry blends music and meaning, unlike plain prose.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate the musical quality of language.
Themes
art
language
music
intellect
balance
Mood
contemplative
inspired
Type
literary
analytical
When to use this quote
- poetry writing
- teaching literature
- creative writing
- public speaking
Key Concepts
Aesthetic theory
literary criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does music enhance meaning?
- Can prose become more poetic?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on intellect can mute emotional resonance.
