Bent Quote by Robert Fortune
“Junipers are generally chosen for the latter purpose, as they can be more readily bent into the desired form; the eyes and tongue are added afterwards, and the representation altogether is really good.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Chinese Medicinal Herbs, Robert Fortune, 1855
Junipers are selected because they are flexible enough to shape, and details are added later, resulting in a high‑quality representation.
In simple terms: Junipers are chosen for their bendability, then detailed later for a good result.
Key Takeaway
Choose flexible materials first, add details later.
Themes
flexibility
craftsmanship
detail
material selection
Mood
practical
thoughtful
Type
instructional
observational
When to use this quote
- woodworking
- landscape design
- horticulture
- sculpture
- architectural modeling
Key Concepts
botany
design
artistic technique
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you think of other materials that benefit from a two‑stage process?
- How does early flexibility affect final quality?
A Different Perspective
If the material is too rigid, shaping may be impossible without damage.
