The Enlightenment, the Age of Reason, is seen as the beginning of modern depravity.
Umberto EcoRead
One can be a great poet and be politically stupid.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Talent in art does not guarantee intelligence in politics.
This quote by Umberto Eco highlights the idea that creative brilliance in fields like poetry does not necessarily correlate with one's understanding or intelligence in political matters. It suggests that different domains of knowledge and skill do not equate to expertise in others, emphasizing the complexity of human capability and judgment.
Themes
PoetPoliticsArtIntelligenceCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the separation of art and politics, this quote can provide insight into the limits of artistic talent.
More from Umberto Eco
All quotes →I think that at a certain age, say fifteen or sixteen, poetry is like masturbation. But later in life good poets burn their early poetry, and bad poets publish it. Thankfully I gave up rather quickly.
Umberto EcoRead
But why do some people support [the heretics]?" "Because it serves their purposes, which concern the faith rarely, and more often the conquest of power." "Is that why the church of Rome accuses all its adversaries of heresy?" "That is why, and that is also why it recognizes as orthodoxy any heresy it can bring back under its own control or must accept because the heresy has become too strong.
Umberto EcoRead
You die, but most of what you have accumulated will not be lost; you are leaving a message in a bottle.
Umberto EcoRead
"Then we are living in a place abandoned by God," I said, disheartened. "Have you found any places where God would have felt at home?" William asked me, looking down from his great height.
Umberto EcoRead
The lunatic is all idée fixe, and whatever he comes across confirms his lunacy. You can tell him by the liberties he takes with common sense, by his flashes of inspiration, and by the fact that sooner or later he brings up the Templars.
Umberto EcoRead
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