Children Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
““It is the essence of poetry to spring, like the rainbow daughter of Wonder, from the invisible, to abolish the past, and refuse all history. Malone, Warburton, Dyce, and Collier, have wasted their oil. The famed theatres, Covent Garden, Drury Lane, the Park, and Tremont, have vainly assisted. Betterton, Garrick, Kemble, Kean, and Macready, dedicate their lives to this genius; him they crown, elucidate, obey, and express. The genius knows them not.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: "Poetry" in Essays, First Series, 1841
Poetry must arise from unseen inspiration, rejecting past conventions and historical constraints, while artists often fail to grasp its true nature.
In simple terms: Poetry comes from hidden wonder, not past rules.
Key Takeaway
Seek fresh inspiration beyond tradition.
Themes
creativity
art
tradition
inspiration
rebellion
Mood
reflective
inspired
critical
Type
philosophical
artistic
When to use this quote
- writing poetry
- visual arts
- music composition
- teaching literature
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Aesthetic theory
transcendence
authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- What unseen forces drive your creative work?
- How can you recognize and break from historical constraints?
A Different Perspective
Even when inspired, creators may still be limited by personal biases and cultural expectations.
