Bach Quote by Walker Percy
““Do you know what he told me after lying under a cliff for thirty six hours with two inches of his femur sticking out? He said: 'Queenie, I think I'm going to pass out and before I do, I'm going to give you a piece of advice' - God, I thought he was going to die and knew and was telling me what to do with his book - and he said quite solemnly: 'Queenie, always stick to Bach and the early Italians' - and passed out cold as a mackerel. And by God, it's not bad advice.””
About This Quote
A dying man's final counsel emphasizes timeless artistic foundations over fleeting concerns, suggesting that enduring cultural values provide guidance in crisis.
In simple terms: Prioritize classic art in turmoil.
Key Takeaway
Classic art offers lasting direction.
Themes
mortality
artistic legacy
guidance
humor
cultural values
Mood
wry
reflective
hopeful
Type
aphoristic
anecdotal
When to use this quote
- facing death
- seeking purpose
- making decisions under duress
- reflecting on legacy
Key Concepts
Bach
early Italian composers
enduring art
personal crisis
Practical Applications
- cultural education
- personal resilience training
Questions to Reflect On
- What does 'stick to Bach' symbolize for you?
- How can classic art influence modern decision‑making?
![“[In art] you are telling the reader or the listener or the viewer something he already knows but which he doesn't quite know that he knows, so that in the action of communication he experiences a recognition, a feeling that he has been there before, a shock of recognition.” quote by Walker Percy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3f1/walker-percy-1958_action_in-art-you-are-telling-the-reader-or-the_116938.jpg)
