Brain Quote by Wallace Stevens
“So, too, if, to our surprise, we should meet one of these morons whose remarks are so conspicuous a part of the folklore of the world of the radio--remarks made without using either the tongue or the brain, spouted much like the spoutings of small whales--we should recognize him as below the level of nature but not as below the level of the imagination.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Man with the Blue Guitar" by Wallace Stevens, 1937
The quote satirizes people who speak nonsense without thought, likening them to mindless creatures, yet acknowledges they still possess imagination beyond pure instinct.
In simple terms: Mocks thoughtless talkers, but notes they still imagine.
Key Takeaway
Recognize empty without intellect, but value imagination.
Themes
satire
communication
imagination
human nature
Mood
wry
critical
reflective
Type
literary
satirical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- radio commentary
- social media
- public speaking
- education
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
critical thinking
creativity
media criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance critique of mindless speech with appreciation of imagination?
- What role does imagination play when intellect fails?
A Different Perspective
May overlook the value of instinctual insight.
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