--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is fatal to decide, intellectually…" description: "\"It is fatal to decide, intellectually, what good poetry is because you are then in honour bound to try to write it, instead of the poems that only you ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d92/philip-larkin-1822_bounds_it-is-fatal-to-decide-intellectually-wha_932402.jpg" --- # It is fatal to decide, intellectually, what good poetry is… ![“It is fatal to decide, intellectually, what good poetry is because you are then in honour bound to try to write it, instead of the poems that only you can write.” quote by Philip Larkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d92/philip-larkin-1822_bounds_it-is-fatal-to-decide-intellectually-wha_932402.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d92/philip-larkin-1822_bounds_it-is-fatal-to-decide-intellectually-wha_932402.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d92/philip-larkin-1822_bounds_it-is-fatal-to-decide-intellectually-wha_932402.jpg) > “It is fatal to decide, intellectually, what good poetry is because you are then in honour bound to try to write it, instead of the poems that only you can write.” [Philip Larkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-larkin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Attempting to define poetry intellectually traps writers into conforming, stifling unique personal expression. **In simple terms:** Defining poetry can limit creativity. Key Takeaway Allow poetry to arise naturally, not from strict definitions. Themes creativity artistic freedom definition literature self‑expression Mood thoughtful inspirational Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - poets - students - critics - writers - educators Key Concepts Aesthetics philosophy of art psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do standards help or hinder artistic growth? - Can you write without any reference to tradition? A Different Perspective The quote may ignore the value of shared standards in literary critique. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bounds/) [Good poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-poetry/) [Honour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honour/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [To have ruined one's self over poetry is an honour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/to-have-ruined-one-s-self-over-poetry-is-an-honour/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Anyone who says, “Here’s my address, write me a poem,” deserves something in reply. So I’ll tell you a secret instead: poems hide. 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