Book Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
“All writing is by the grace of God. People do not deserve to have good writing, they are so pleased with bad. In these sentences that you show me, I can find no beauty, for I see death in every clause and every word. There is a fossil or a mummy character which pervades this book. The best sepulchers, the vastest catacombs, Thebes and Cairo, Pyramids, are sepulchers to me. I like gardens and nurseries. Give me initiative, spermatic, prophesying, man-making words.”
About This Quote
The writer laments that contemporary prose lacks beauty, perceiving it as lifeless and preferring vivid, creative language that inspires growth.
In simple terms: Modern writing feels lifeless; seek vivid expression.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate imaginative, meaningful prose.
Themes
art
creativity
criticism
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative writing workshops
- literary criticism
- personal journaling
Key Concepts
aesthetic theory
literary standards
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes language feel alive?
- How can you inspire beauty in everyday writing?
A Different Perspective
May dismiss diverse styles as merely “bad.”
