Do good by stealth, and blush to find it fame.
Alexander PopeRead
Genius creates, and taste preserves. Taste is the good sense of genius; without taste, genius is only sublime folly.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Genius is about creation, while taste ensures that these creations are appreciated and valued; without taste, genius can lead to meaningless outcomes.
In this quote, Alexander Pope emphasizes the relationship between genius and taste, suggesting that while a genius is capable of creating remarkable works, it is taste that allows those creations to be recognized as meaningful and valuable. Without taste, the brilliance of genius may become irrelevant or misguided, resulting in what he calls 'sublime folly.' This highlights the importance of discernment and appreciation in the realm of art and creativity.
Themes
GeniusTasteCreationArtAppreciation
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture about creativity, I quoted Pope to emphasize the importance of cultivating taste in budding artists.
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An honest man's the noblest work of God.
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One thought of thee puts all the pomp to flight;_x000D_ _x000D_ Priests, tapers, temples, swim before my sight.
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