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I do not know which to prefer, The beauty of inflections, Or the beauty of innuendoes, The blackbird whistling, Or just after.
Wallace Stevens
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote expresses a deep appreciation for the beauty found in language and nature.

Wallace Stevens reflects on the nuanced beauty that can be found in both the subtleties of language and the sounds of nature. He contrasts the beautiful variations in speech and poetic expression, represented by 'inflections' and 'innuendoes', with the simple yet profound beauty of a blackbird's song, capturing the duality of appreciation for both aesthetic language and natural beauty.

Themes

BeautyLanguageNaturePoetryExpression

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can inspire artists during a gallery opening to discuss the interplay of language and nature.

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Everything is complicated; if that were not so, life and poetry and everything else would be a bore.
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Unfortunately there is nothing more inane than an Easter carol. It is a religious perversion of the activity of Spring in our blood.
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A little wisdom, now and then

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