Slowly the poison the whole blood stream fills. It is not the effort nor the failure tires. The waste remains, the waste remains and kills.
William EmpsonRead
The central function of imaginative literature is to make you realize that other people act on moral convictions different from your own.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Imaginative literature helps us understand diverse moral perspectives.
William Empson emphasizes that the primary role of imaginative literature is to encourage readers to see the world through the eyes of others, particularly those who hold different moral beliefs. This understanding fosters empathy and broadens our perspective on human behavior and motivations.
Themes
ImaginationLiteratureMoralityPerspectiveEmpathy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared in a book club discussion to emphasize the importance of diverse viewpoints.
More from William Empson
All quotes βWaiting for the end, boys, waiting for the end. _x000D_ What is there to be or do?_x000D_ What's become of me or you?_x000D_ Are we kind or are we true?_x000D_ Sitting two and two, boys, waiting for the end.
William EmpsonRead
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Ayn RandRead