Activity Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Shakespeare carries us to such a lofty strain of intelligent activity, as to suggest a wealth which beggars his own; and we then feel that the splendid works which he has created, and which in other hours we extol as a sort of self-existent poetry, take no stronger hold of real nature than the shadow of a passing traveller on the rock. The inspiration which uttered itself in Hamlet and Lear could utter things as good from day to day, for ever.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Poet, 1844
Shakespeare’s work, though grand, is fleeting like a traveler’s shadow; yet its inspiration endures, showing art’s lasting impact despite its transience.
In simple terms: Great art is fleeting but its influence lasts.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate enduring artistic inspiration.
Themes
art
transience
inspiration
legacy
Mood
reflective
admiring
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- literary criticism
- creative writing
- cultural studies
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
ephemeral fame
lasting influence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does fleeting art affect us today?
- What makes some works timeless?
A Different Perspective
Focusing on temporality may undervalue immediate relevance.
![“After we did [All In The Family], that ended up being a real love fest all around. Me and Norman, Norman [Lear] and me, Rob Reiner, everybody liked everybody. So about six or seven months later I moved out to L.A. and I got a call that Norman wanted to see me. I came in and he said "ABC has given…” quote by Richard Masur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/992/richard-masur-16998_baltimore_after-we-did-all-in-the-family-that-ende_144257.jpg)
