The deepest quality of a work of art will always be the quality of the mind of the producer...No good novel will ever proceed from a superficial mind.
Henry JamesRead
I adore adverbs; they are the only qualifications I really much respect.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Henry James expresses his admiration for adverbs as essential qualifiers in writing.
In this quote, Henry James highlights the significance of adverbs in literature, suggesting that they are critical tools that enhance the clarity and expression of thoughts in writing. His admiration reflects a belief that adverbs enrich language, providing nuance and depth that are crucial for effective communication.
Themes
AdverbsWritingLanguageQualifiersLiterature
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a writing workshop to emphasize the importance of word choice.
More from Henry James
All quotes →What is character but the determination of incident? What is incident but the illustration of character?
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Never say you know the last word about any human heart.
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We care what happens to people only in proportion as we know what people are.
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A swift carriage, of a dark night, rattling with four horses over roads that one can’t see--that’s my idea of happiness.
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Of course what he most intensely dreams of is being taken out on walks, and the more you are able to indulge him the more will he adore you and the more all the latent beauty of his nature will come out.
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