The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green.
Thomas CarlyleRead
Humor has justly been regarded as the finest perfection of poetic genius.
Interpretation
Humor is seen as a pinnacle of poetic creativity.
In this quote, Thomas Carlyle suggests that humor is not merely an amusement but represents a deep level of artistic excellence. A poetβs ability to weave humor into their work showcases a mastery of language and insight into human nature, elevating their poetry to a higher standard of genius.
In practice
During a poetry reading, this quote can be used to highlight the importance of humor in literary works.
The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green.
Thirty millions, mostly fools.
There is a great discovery still to be made in literature, that of paying literary men by the quantity they do not write.
For the superior morality, of which we hear so much, we too would desire to be thankful: at the same time, it were but blindness to deny that this superior morality is properly rather an inferior criminality, produced not by greater love of Virtue, but by greater perfection of Police; and of that far subtler and stronger Police, called Public Opinion.
Enjoying things which are pleasant; that is not the evil; it is the reducing of our moral self to slavery by them that is.
Clean undeniable right, clear undeniable might: either of these once ascertained puts an end to battle. All battle is a confused experiment to ascertain one and both of these.
Don't use a five-dollar word when a fifty-cent word will do.
In Hawaii they say, "aloha." That's a nice one, It means both "hello" and "good-bye" Which just goes to show, if you spend enough time in the sun you don't know whether you're coming or going.
It's a lazy Saturday afternoon, there's a couple lying naked in bed reading Encyclopediea Brittannica to each other, and arguing about whether the Andromeda Galaxy is more 'numinous' than the Ressurection. Do they know how to have a good time, or don't they?
Anywhere, anytime, I'd sacrifice the finest nuance for a laugh, the most elegant trope for a smile.
I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell.
Juliet's version of cleanliness was next to godliness, which was to say it was erratic, past all understanding and was seldom seen.
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