One can acquire everything in solitude except character.
StendhalRead
She had caprices of a marvellous unexpectedness, and how is any one to imitate a caprice?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses the uniqueness and spontaneity of individual creativity, suggesting that one cannot simply replicate the unpredictable nature of inspiration.
In this quote, Stendhal highlights the concept of artistic caprice, which refers to the whimsical and unpredictable flashes of creativity that can inspire exceptional artistic expression. He questions the feasibility of imitating such unique inspirations, suggesting that true creativity is inherently personal and elusive, often stemming from unexpected moments that cannot be easily reproduced by others.
Themes
CreativityCapriceArtistic InspirationOriginality
In practice
Example use cases
An artist might share this quote during a workshop on finding oneβs unique style.
More from Stendhal
All quotes βTrue love makes the thought of death frequent, easy, without terrors; it merely becomes the standard of comparison, the price one would pay for many things.
StendhalRead
In love, unlike most other passions, the recollection of what you have had and lost is always better than what you can hope for in the future.
StendhalRead
A very small degree of hope is sufficient to cause the birth of love.
StendhalRead
If you don't love me, it does not matter, anyway I can love for both of us.
StendhalRead
Pleasure is often spoiled by describing it.
StendhalRead
Similar quotes
I never studied theatre; I learned it by doing it. If I had studied theatre, I would not be making the kind of theatre I am making.
Robert WilsonRead
It is godlike ever to think on something beautiful and on something new.
DemocritusRead
My theory on genre is that while there are people out there who believe that genre tells people what to read, actually I believe that genre exists as a marketing tool to tell you what to avoid.
Neil GaimanRead
When I write, what I long for is not more realism or fiction but more courage. That's what I always find myself short on and what I have to struggle to achieve in order that the work might live.
Junot DiazRead
Painting is marvelous; it makes you happier and more patient. Afterwards you do not have black fingers as with writing, but blue and red ones.
Hermann HesseRead
Wine loved I deeply, dice dearly.
William ShakespeareRead