What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child.
George Bernard ShawRead
With the single exception of Homer, there is no eminent writer, not even Sir Walter Scott, whom I can despise so entirely as I despise Shakespeare when I measure my mind against his. . . . It would positively be a relief to me to dig him up and throw stones at him.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The author expresses profound disdain for Shakespeare, emphasizing his own judgement of literary merit.
George Bernard Shaw reflects his strong feelings toward Shakespeare, suggesting that despite Shakespeare's eminent status in literature, Shaw finds himself at odds with his work. This quote reveals a combination of rivalry, frustration, and an assertion of individuality in the realm of literary creation, highlighting how an author's self-perception can shape their views on others' accomplishments.
Themes
ShakespeareLiteratureDisdainComparisonShaw
In practice
Example use cases
In a literary discussion, one might quote Shaw to ignite debate about the merits of classic authors.
More from George Bernard Shaw
All quotes →Marriage is good enough for the lower classes: they have facilities for desertion that are denied to us.
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Forgive him, for he believes that the customs of his tribe are the laws of nature!
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Those who talk most about the blessings of marriage and the constancy of its vows are the very people who declare that if the chain were broken and the prisoners left free to choose, the whole social fabric would fly asunder. You cannot have the argument both ways. If the prisoner is happy, why lock him in? If he is not, why pretend that he is?
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Treat a friend as a person who may someday become your enemy; an enemy as a person who may someday become your friend.
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The happiness of credulity is a cheap and dangerous quality.
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