That which has always been accepted by everyone, everywhere, is almost certain to be false.
Paul ValeryRead
A poem is never finished, only abandoned.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that creative works like poetry are never truly complete; they can always be revised and improved.
Paul Valery's quote highlights the idea that the creative process is ongoing and that artists often feel compelled to continue refining their work rather than declaring it finished. This reflects the inherent nature of artistic expression, where one can always find new ways to enhance or alter a piece.
Themes
PoemArtCreationProcessCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
In a literary workshop, one might say this quote to inspire writers to continue honing their drafts.
More from Paul Valery
All quotes →Oh, hasten not this loving act, Rapture where self and not-self meet: My life has been the awaiting you, Your footfall was my own heart's beat.
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The history of thought may be summed up in these words: it is absurd by what it seeks and great by what it finds.
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The world acquires value only through its extremes and endures only through moderation; extremists make the world great, the moderates give it stability.
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It would be impossible to "love" anyone or anything one knew completely. Love is directed towards what lies hidden in its object.
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You have certainly observed the curious fact that a given word which is perfectly clear when you hear it or use it in everyday language, and which does not give rise to any difficulty when it is engaged in the rapid movement of an ordinary sentence becomes magically embarrassing, introduces a strange resistance, frustrates any effort at definition as soon as you take it out of circulation to examine it separately and look for its meaning after taking away its instantaneous function.
Paul ValeryRead
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