Poetry operates by hints and dark suggestions. It is full of secrets and hidden formulae, like a witch's brew.
Anthony HechtRead
A lot of the fun lies in trying to penetrate the mystery; and this is best done by saying over the lines to yourself again and again, till they pass through the stage of sounding like nonsense, and finally return to a full sense that had at first escaped notice.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The joy of understanding complex ideas comes from repeated contemplation until clarity is achieved.
This quote emphasizes the importance of persistence and active engagement when grappling with difficult concepts. Hecht suggests that rather than being discouraged by initial confusion, one should embrace the process of revisiting and reflecting on the material, allowing deeper meanings to emerge through repetition and contemplation.
Themes
UnderstandingMysteryLearningPersistenceReflection
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in an academic setting to motivate students to engage deeply with challenging texts.
More from Anthony Hecht
All quotes →Similar quotes
I think with you, that nothing is of more importance for the public weal, than to form and train up youth in wisdom and virtue. Wise and good men are in my opinion, the strength of the state; more so than riches or arms.
Benjamin FranklinRead
Writing/reading is like visiting another person's brain. And a short book or article is like a short stay. You come in, have a coffee, talk about the weather or sports, and then move on.
Mark MansonRead
The Arts and Sciences, essential to the prosperity of the State and to the ornament of human life, have a primary claim to the encouragement of every lover of his country and mankind.
George WashingtonRead
You are at some point exposed to a wonderful story, and you really want to know what happens next, so you learn to read in order to find out.
Diana GabaldonRead
Whatever other children learn in a year, let Bahá’í children learn in a month. The heart of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá longeth, in its love, to find that Bahá’í young people, each and all, are known throughout the world for their intellectual attainments. There is no question but that they will exert all their efforts, their energies, their sense of pride, to acquire the sciences and arts.
Abdu'L-BahRead
At the bottom of education, at the bottom of politics, even at the bottom of religion, there must be for our race economic independence.
Booker T. WashingtonRead