Babel Quote by Percy Bysshe Shelley
“It were as wise to cast a violet into a crucible that you might discover the formal principle of its color and odor, as seek to transfuse from one language into another the creations of a poet. The plant must spring again from its seed, or it will bear no flower -- and this is the burthen of the curse of Babel.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Revolt of Islam” by Percy Bysshe Shelley, 1817
Translating poetry loses original nuance; true artistic essence must be experienced in its native form.
In simple terms: Poetry loses meaning when translated.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate works in their original language.
Themes
art
translation
language
authenticity
Mood
melancholic
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- reading original texts
- language study
- creative writing
- cultural exchange
Key Concepts
literary theory
linguistics
Questions to Reflect On
- Can translation ever fully convey poetry?
- What value does translation add?
A Different Perspective
Some translations capture spirit well.
![“What [Franz] Kafka says about the Tower of Babel: In the beginning there were actually many languages, and then as a punishment God gave the world a single language. And then they stopped understanding each other.” quote by Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9cc/elie-wiesel-341_babel_what-franz-kafka-says-about-the-tower-of_542076.jpg)
