Borrow Quote by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
“A poet ought not to pick nature's pocket. Let him borrow, and so borrow as to repay by the very act of borrowing. Examine nature accurately, but write from recollection, and trust more to the imagination than the memory.”
About This Quote
The poet should not exploit nature directly but engage with it imaginatively, borrowing its essence and repaying through creative expression, relying on memory and imagination over literal observation.
In simple terms: Imaginative engagement with nature over exploitation.
Key Takeaway
Nature as a source, not a commodity.
Themes
creativity
nature
imagination
memory
artistic responsibility
Mood
reflective
inspired
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
advice
literary
When to use this quote
- writing poetry
- studying natural phenomena
- creative workshops
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
poetry
inspiration
ethical creation
Practical Applications
- teaching creative writing
- guiding artistic practice
Questions to Reflect On
- How does imagination transform natural observation?
- When does borrowing become exploitation?
