--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What is a modern poet's fate? / To write…" description: "\"What is a modern poet's fate? / To write his thoughts upon a slate; / The critic spits on what is done, / Gives it a wipe - and all is gone.\" — Thomas ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5aa/thomas-hood-7160_critics_what-is-a-modern-poet-s-fate-to-write-hi_2068088.png" --- # What is a modern poet's fate? / To write his thoughts upon… ![“What is a modern poet's fate? / To write his thoughts upon a slate; / The critic spits on what is done, / Gives it a wipe - and all is gone.” quote by Thomas Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5aa/thomas-hood-7160_critics_what-is-a-modern-poet-s-fate-to-write-hi_2068088.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5aa/thomas-hood-7160_critics_what-is-a-modern-poet-s-fate-to-write-hi_2068088.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5aa/thomas-hood-7160_critics_what-is-a-modern-poet-s-fate-to-write-hi_2068088.png) > “What is a modern poet's fate? / To write his thoughts upon a slate; / The critic spits on what is done, / Gives it a wipe - and all is gone.” [Thomas Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hood/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The poem laments that a poet's work is quickly dismissed and erased by critics, rendering his effort futile. **In simple terms:** Critics can destroy a poet's work before it endures. Key Takeaway Value and protect creative expression. Themes art criticism ephemerality Mood melancholic thoughtful Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - publishing - art reviews - literary circles - social media - censorship Key Concepts literary criticism creative vulnerability impermanence Questions to Reflect On - What responsibilities do critics have toward creators? - How can artists preserve their work against fleeting judgments? A Different Perspective Some may view criticism as essential for artistic growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fate/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Poet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poet/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I liked the kid who wrote me that he had to do a term paper on a modern poet and he was doing me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-nemerov/i-liked-the-kid-who-wrote-me-that-he-had-to-do-a-term-paper-on-a/) [Howard Nemerov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-nemerov/) > [The modern poet has no essential alliance with regular schemes of any sorts.He reserves the right to adapt his rhythm to his mood, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-read/the-modern-poet-has-no-essential-alliance-with-regular-schemes-of-any/) [Herbert Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-read/) > [I may as well tell you, here and now, that if you are going about the place thinking things pretty, you will never make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse-2/i-may-as-well-tell-you-here-and-now-that-if-you-are-going-about-the/) [P. G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse-2/) > [Most poetry is very formal, but when a modern poet is formal he gets more attention for it than old poets did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-lowell/most-poetry-is-very-formal-but-when-a-modern-poet-is-formal-he-gets/) [Robert Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-lowell/) > [For too long we've been told about 'us' and 'them.' Each and every election we see a new slate of arguments and ads telling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/for-too-long-we-ve-been-told-about-us-and-them-each-and-every/) [William J. 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Now, everybody at the New York Times and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/when-i-started-in-the-press-there-were-really-ink-stained-wretches/) [Joe Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-klein/) > [As a matter of principle, I always come to a film like a blank slate, I don't learn my lines in advance. With this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-moreau/as-a-matter-of-principle-i-always-come-to-a-film-like-a-blank-slate-i/) [Jeanne Moreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-moreau/) > [Writing is still on my slate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaleel-white/writing-is-still-on-my-slate/) [Jaleel White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaleel-white/) > [“There is no such thing as a clean slate. I know that now. You just embrace your dirty slate and build over it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarryn-fisher/there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-clean-slate-i-know-that-now-you-just/) [Tarryn Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tarryn-fisher/) > [A lot of people approach their barn or horse like they are going to war, because it's been going badly. So you pick up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-meehl/a-lot-of-people-approach-their-barn-or-horse-like-they-are-going-to/) Cindy Meehl > [America is indeed a revelation, though not quite the one that was planned. Given a clean slate, man, it was hoped, would write the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-mccarthy/america-is-indeed-a-revelation-though-not-quite-the-one-that-was/) [Mary McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-mccarthy/) > [I like to always wash the slate clean, and reinvigorate my spirit to be connected to the characters that I am doing. I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giancarlo-esposito/i-like-to-always-wash-the-slate-clean-and-reinvigorate-my-spirit-to/) [Giancarlo Esposito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giancarlo-esposito/) ## More by Thomas Hood > [Peace and rest at length have come, All the day's long toil is past; And each heart is whispering, "Home, Home at last!"](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hood/peace-and-rest-at-length-have-come-all-the-day-s-long-toil-is-past/) [Thomas Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hood/) > [He lies like a hedgehog rolled up the wrong way, Tormenting himself with his prickles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hood/he-lies-like-a-hedgehog-rolled-up-the-wrong-way-tormenting-himself/) [Thomas Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hood/) > [I love thee - I love thee, 'Tis all that I can say, It is my vision in the night, My dreaming in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hood/i-love-thee-i-love-thee-tis-all-that-i-can-say-it-is-my-vision-in-the/) [Thomas Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hood/) > [There are three things which the public will always clamour for, sooner or later; namely: novelty, novelty, novelty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hood/there-are-three-things-which-the-public-will-always-clamour-for/) [Thomas Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hood/) > [Half of the failures in life come from pulling one's horse when he is leaping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hood/half-of-the-failures-in-life-come-from-pulling-one-s-horse-when-he-is/) [Thomas Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hood/) > [What is mind? No matter. What is matter? Never mind. What is the soul? It is immaterial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hood/what-is-mind-no-matter-what-is-matter-never-mind-what-is-the-soul-it/) [Thomas Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hood/) > [What joy have I in June's return? My feet are parched-my eyeballs burn, I scent no flowery gust; But faint the flagging zephyr springs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hood/what-joy-have-i-in-june-s-return-my-feet-are-parched-my-eyeballs-burn/) [Thomas Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hood/) > [It was not in the winter Our loving lot was cast! It was the time of roses, We plucked them as we passed!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hood/it-was-not-in-the-winter-our-loving-lot-was-cast-it-was-the-time-of/) [Thomas Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hood/) > [When he is forsaken, Withered and shaken, What can an old man do but die?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hood/when-he-is-forsaken-withered-and-shaken-what-can-an-old-man-do-but-die/) [Thomas Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hood/) > [Well for the drones of the social hive that there are bees of an industrious turn, willing, for an infinitesimal share of the honey,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hood/well-for-the-drones-of-the-social-hive-that-there-are-bees-of-an/) [Thomas Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hood/) > [I saw old autumn in the misty morn Stand shadowless like silence, listening To silence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hood/i-saw-old-autumn-in-the-misty-morn-stand-shadowless-like-silence/) [Thomas Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hood/) > [Comfort and indolence are cronies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hood/comfort-and-indolence-are-cronies/) [Thomas Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hood/) > [Mother of light! how fairly dost thou go Over those hoary crests, divinely led! Art thou that huntress of the silver bow Fabled of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hood/mother-of-light-how-fairly-dost-thou-go-over-those-hoary-crests/) [Thomas Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hood/) > [Sweet are the little brooks that run O'er pebbles glancing in the sun, Singing in soothing tones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hood/sweet-are-the-little-brooks-that-run-o-er-pebbles-glancing-in-the-sun/) [Thomas Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hood/) > [How widely its agencies vary,- To save, to ruin, to curse, to bless,- As even its minted coins express, Now stamp'd with the image…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hood/how-widely-its-agencies-vary-to-save-to-ruin-to-curse-to-bless-as/) [Thomas Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hood/) [Explore all 94 Thomas Hood quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hood/) ## More Critics quotes > [The worst advice? 'Don't listen to the critics.' 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As the critic Stanley…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/popular-culture-as-a-whole-is-popular-but-in-today-s-fragmented/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [There was a cultural war going on, the '60s was going on. All the film critics were square.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/there-was-a-cultural-war-going-on-the-60s-was-going-on-all-the-film/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [Capitalists have done more good for society through their charitable giving, philanthropy and generosity than all their critics combined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cook/capitalists-have-done-more-good-for-society-through-their-charitable/) [James Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cook/) > [I get that the media wants us to play theater critics and critique every other proposal. What I'm focusing on are my own policy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-get-that-the-media-wants-us-to-play-theater-critics-and-critique/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [The Yippies, their lifestyle is different from mine. But I consider Jerry Rubin and Abbie Hoffman inspired critics of the kind of society that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-dellinger/the-yippies-their-lifestyle-is-different-from-mine-but-i-consider/) [David Dellinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-dellinger/) > [This one goes out to all my critics: don't you feel stupid? Look how I did it. Look how it came to pass when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicki-minaj/this-one-goes-out-to-all-my-critics-don-t-you-feel-stupid-look-how-i/) [Nicki Minaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicki-minaj/) > [There's a lot of stuff I want to do, just things that I want to explore that don't involve show business. I'm going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-sheen/there-s-a-lot-of-stuff-i-want-to-do-just-things-that-i-want-to/) [Charlie Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-sheen/) > [Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/whatever-course-you-decide-upon-there-is-always-someone-to-tell-you/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Nearly all the writing of our time is likely to disappear in a hundred years. Certainly most readers - and nearly all critics -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dirda/nearly-all-the-writing-of-our-time-is-likely-to-disappear-in-a/) [Michael Dirda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dirda/) > [David Rockefeller is the most conspicuous representative today of the ruling class, a multinational fraternity of men who shape the global economy and manage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-moyers/david-rockefeller-is-the-most-conspicuous-representative-today-of-the/) [Bill Moyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-moyers/) > [The boundaries between contemporary art and cinema are so rigid. It's unbelievable. The film critics don't know my artwork and the art world doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-varda/the-boundaries-between-contemporary-art-and-cinema-are-so-rigid-it-s/) [Agnes Varda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-varda/) > [A certain type of critic doesn't really want French movies to be visual. They think movies started from books and they forgot this part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audrey-tautou/a-certain-type-of-critic-doesn-t-really-want-french-movies-to-be/) [Audrey Tautou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audrey-tautou/) Browse all 2,637 Critics quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What is a modern poet's fate? / To write his thoughts upon a slate; / The critic spits on what is done, / Gives it a wipe - and all is gone.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Hood" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hood/what-is-a-modern-poet-s-fate-to-write-his-thoughts-upon-a-slate-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Critics" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hood/what-is-a-modern-poet-s-fate-to-write-his-thoughts-upon-a-slate-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5aa/thomas-hood-7160_critics_what-is-a-modern-poet-s-fate-to-write-hi_2068088.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5aa/thomas-hood-7160_critics_what-is-a-modern-poet-s-fate-to-write-hi_2068088.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5aa/thomas-hood-7160_critics_what-is-a-modern-poet-s-fate-to-write-hi_2068088.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What is a modern poet's fate? / To write his thoughts upon a slate; / The critic spits on what is done, /…” — Thomas Hood", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Thomas Hood", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hood/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What is a modern poet's fate?...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hood/what-is-a-modern-poet-s-fate-to-write-his-thoughts-upon-a-slate-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hood/what-is-a-modern-poet-s-fate-to-write-his-thoughts-upon-a-slate-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```