Atheism Quote by William Congreve
“Turn pimp, flatterer, quack, lawyer, parson, be chaplain to an atheist, or stallion to an old woman, anything but a poet; for a poet is worse, more servile, timorous and fawning than any I have named.”
About This Quote
The speaker lists many respectable roles but declares poet as the worst, viewing poets as servile and fawning compared to others.
In simple terms: Poets are seen as overly subservient and insincere.
Recognize the value of poetic honesty.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- literary criticism
- self‑reflection
- career choice
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Why does the speaker disdain poets?
- What does this reveal about societal values?
May be a hyperbolic satire, not literal.