There is first the literature of knowledge, and secondly, the
literature of power. The function of the first is--to teach; the
function of the second is--to move, the first is a rudder, the
second an oar or a sail. The first speaks to the mere discursive
understanding; the second speaks ultimately, it may happen, to
the higher understanding or reason, but always through affections
of pleasure and sympathy.
- Thomas De Quincey ("The Opium Eater"),
You May Also Like / View all maxioms
In literature as in ethics, there is danger, as well as glory, in being subtle. Aristocracy isolates us.
In literature as in ethics, there is danger, as well as glory, in being subtle. Aristocracy isolates us.
Author: A fool, who, not content with having bored those who have lived with him, insists on tormenting the generations read more
Author: A fool, who, not content with having bored those who have lived with him, insists on tormenting the generations to come.
In literature as in love we are astounded by what is chosen by others.
In literature as in love we are astounded by what is chosen by others.
The philosophy exam was a piece of cake -- which was a bit of a surprise, actually, because I was read more
The philosophy exam was a piece of cake -- which was a bit of a surprise, actually, because I was expecting some questions on a sheet of paper.
The universe is made up of stories, not of atoms.
The universe is made up of stories, not of atoms.
The difficulty of literature is not to write, but to write what you mean; not to affect your reader, but read more
The difficulty of literature is not to write, but to write what you mean; not to affect your reader, but to affect him precisely as you wish.
Education is the state-controlled manufacture of echoes.
Education is the state-controlled manufacture of echoes.
Everywhere I go, I'm asked if the universities stifle writers. My opinion is that they don't stifle enough of them.
Everywhere I go, I'm asked if the universities stifle writers. My opinion is that they don't stifle enough of them.
Little do such men know the toil, the pains, the daily, nightly racking of the brains, to range the thoughts, read more
Little do such men know the toil, the pains, the daily, nightly racking of the brains, to range the thoughts, the matter to digest, to cull fit phrases, and reject the rest.
