The sea is calm tonight. The tide is full, the moon lies fair Upon the straits;- on the French coast the light Gleams and is gone; the cliffs of England stand, glimmering and vast, out in the tranquil bay.
Matthew ArnoldRead
For the creation of a masterwork of literature two powers must concur, the power of the man and the power of the moment, and the man is not enough without the moment.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Great literature arises from both the individual's talent and the context of their time.
Matthew Arnold's quote emphasizes the dual necessity of personal ability and historical context in the creation of profound literary works. He suggests that while the writer's skill is vital, it is equally important to have the right circumstances that allow that skill to flourish and resonate with audiences, indicating that moments in time play a crucial role in artistic expression.
Themes
LiteratureTalentContextArtMasterwork
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a literary discussion about the impact of historical events on famous authors.
More from Matthew Arnold
All quotes →And each day brings it's pretty dust, Our soon-choked souls to fll And we forget because we must, And not because we will.
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It is almost impossible to exaggerate the proneness of the human mind to take miracles as evidence, and to seek for miracles as evidence.
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To have the sense of creative activity is the great happiness and the great proof of being alive.
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Nature, with equal mind, Sees all her sons at play, Sees man control the wind, The wind sweep man away.
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Culture, the acquainting ourselves with the best that has been known and said in the world, and thus with the history of the human spirit.
Matthew ArnoldRead
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