There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music.
Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal; bad poets deface what they take, and good poets make it into something better, or at least something different.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the evolution of creativity among poets, emphasizing that true artistry involves transformation rather than mere imitation.
T.S. Eliot's quote reflects on the nature of creativity in poetry, suggesting that while immature poets simply copy the works of others, more mature poets are able to incorporate existing ideas, transforming them into something unique. It implies that true artistry lies in the ability to take inspiration from other works and create something that transcends the original, rather than merely defacing or diluting it. A good poet elevates the existing art into a new, more profound expression, showcasing the difference between imitation and innovation.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on creative writing, one might reference this quote to highlight the importance of developing one's own voice.
More from T. S. Eliot
All quotes βHalf 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.
I am an Anglo-Catholic in religion, a classicist in literature and a royalist in politics.
If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?
For I have known them all already, known them allβ Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons, I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.
In the faint moonlight, the grass is singing
Similar quotes
Even now, nature is the only flame, on which the poetic spirit feeds; from it alone it draws all its power, to it alone it speaks even in the artificial, in the man engaged in culture.
And she never could remember; and ever since that day what Lucy means by a good story is a story which reminds her of the forgotten story in the Magician's Book.
And for the last three minutes on the wind of a windless day I have heard the sound of drums and flute.
The cut of a garment speaks of intellect and talent and the color of temperament and heart.
People observe the colors of a day only at its beginnings and ends, but to me it's quite clear that a day merges through a multitude of shades and intonations with each passing moment. A single hour can consist of thousands of different colors. Waxy yellows, cloud-spot blues. Murky darkness. In my line of work, I make it a point to notice them.
When I sing, I think mostly about the music. But I know that, through singing, my body shows everything that I am. I am a very passionate man and I suffer a lot and have a lot of joy also. In my opinion, it is very important for me to find this stimulus and motivation for singing.