There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music.
T. S. EliotRead
Good poets borrow, great poets steal
Interpretation
What this quote means
Great poets take inspiration from others and transform it into something uniquely their own.
This quote by T. S. Eliot highlights the idea that while all poets draw inspiration from existing works, the truly exceptional ones go beyond mere imitation. They 'steal' ideas in the sense that they absorb and reinterpret them, creating original masterpieces that resonate with their unique voice and perspective.
Themes
PoetryInspirationCreativityArtOriginality
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the importance of originality in writing, one might quote T. S. Eliot to emphasize how great works are often built upon the foundations of others.
More from T. S. Eliot
All quotes →Half of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm. But the harm does not interest them.
T. S. EliotRead
I am an Anglo-Catholic in religion, a classicist in literature and a royalist in politics.
T. S. EliotRead
If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?
T. S. EliotRead
For I have known them all already, known them all— Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons, I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.
T. S. EliotRead
In the faint moonlight, the grass is singing
T. S. EliotRead
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