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
We read poetry because the poets, like ourselves, have been haunted by the inescapable tyranny of time and death; have read more
We read poetry because the poets, like ourselves, have been haunted by the inescapable tyranny of time and death; have suffered the pain of loss, and the more wearing, continuous pain of frustration and failure; and have had moods of unlooked-for release and peace. They have known and watched in themselves and others.
All that non-fiction can do is answer questions. It's fiction's business to ask them.
All that non-fiction can do is answer questions. It's fiction's business to ask them.
For me, literature is a complex game, both mental and concrete, which is acted out in a physical manner on read more
For me, literature is a complex game, both mental and concrete, which is acted out in a physical manner on the page.rn
Vigny, more secretAs if in his tower of ivory, retired before noon."N.B.: Vigny refers to Comte de Vigny, who locked read more
Vigny, more secretAs if in his tower of ivory, retired before noon."N.B.: Vigny refers to Comte de Vigny, who locked himself in an ivory tower to work without the influences of man and desire. - Pensees d'Aout.
There is no human reason why a child should not admire and emulate his teacher's ability to do sums, rather read more
There is no human reason why a child should not admire and emulate his teacher's ability to do sums, rather than the village bum's ability to whittle sticks and smoke cigarettes. The reason why the child does not is plain enough -- the bum has put himself on an equality with him and the teacher has not.
Draw a crazy picture,Write a nutty poem,Sing a mumble-gumble song,Whistle through your comb.Do a loony-goony dance'Cross the kitchen floor,Put something read more
Draw a crazy picture,Write a nutty poem,Sing a mumble-gumble song,Whistle through your comb.Do a loony-goony dance'Cross the kitchen floor,Put something silly in the worldThat ain't been there before.
After all, all he did was string together a lot of old, well-known quotations.
After all, all he did was string together a lot of old, well-known quotations.
The schoolmaster is abroad! And I trust to him armed with his primer against the soldier in full military array.
The schoolmaster is abroad! And I trust to him armed with his primer against the soldier in full military array.
Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and read more
Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become.
