Thou art a man God is no more Thy own humanity Learn to adore
William BlakeRead
Improvement makes strait roads, but the crooked roads without Improvement, are roads of Genius.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Improvement leads to straightforward success, while the unconventional paths foster creativity and genius.
William Blake's quote suggests that while systematic improvement and hard work create clear and direct paths to achievement, the more irregular and challenging routes, which may lack the benefits of improvement, are often where true genius and creativity arise. This highlights the value of embracing complexity and deviation from the norm in the creative process.
Themes
ImprovementGeniusCreativitySuccessPaths
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech on innovation, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of creative thinking.
More from William Blake
All quotes βIn seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.
William BlakeRead
O thou who passest through our valleys in Thy strength, curb thy fierce steeds, allay the heat That flames from their large nostrils! Thou, O Summer, Oft pitchest here thy golden tent, and oft Beneath our oaks hast slept, while we beheld With joy thy ruddy limbs and flourishing hair.
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Every Night and every Morn Some to Misery are born. Every Morn and every Night Some are born to Sweet Delight, Some are born to Endless Night.
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As the caterpillar chooses the fairest leaves to lay her eggs on, so the priest lays his curse on the fairest joys.
William BlakeRead
He who would do good to another must do it in minute particulars.
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