It is necessary to study these words you have written, for the words have a longer history than you have and say more than you know.
George OppenRead
Clarity, clarity, surely clarity is the most beautiful thing in the world, A limited, limiting clarity I have not and never did have any motive of poetry But to achieve clarity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The pursuit of clarity in expression is the essence of creating meaningful art.
In this quote, George Oppen emphasizes that the primary goal of poetry and artistic expression is to achieve clarity. He suggests that clarity is not only vital for communication but is also the most beautiful aspect of art, allowing the audience to truly understand and appreciate the work's essence without confusion or ambiguity.
Themes
ClarityPoetryArtCommunicationBeauty
In practice
Example use cases
In a creative writing workshop when discussing the importance of clear expression.
More from George Oppen
All quotes →Similar quotes
There is one art of which people should be masters - the art of reflection.
Samuel Taylor ColeridgeRead
I'm singing what I want to sing based on the emotion of what that day feels like. That's what comes out of my mouth and guitar. That impacts people. They know anything can happen.
John MayerRead
It is not I that am drawing, it is this thing at the end of my hand.
Henri RousseauRead
It has been the office of art to educate the perception of beauty. We are immersed in beauty but our eyes have no clear vision.
Ralph Waldo EmersonRead
Jazz is a very accurate, curiously accurate accompaniment to 20th century America.
Ken BurnsRead
The collision of hail or rain with hard surfaces, or the song of cicadas in a summer field. These sonic events are made out of thousands of isolated sounds; this multitude of sounds, seen as totality, is a new sonic event.
Iannis XenakisRead