We ought not to extract pernicious honey from poison blossoms of misrepresentation and mendacious half-truth, to pamper the course appetite of bigotry and self-love.
Samuel Taylor ColeridgeRead
Sir, I admit your general rule, That every poet is a fool, But you yourself may serve to show it, That every fool is not a poet.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that while many poets may act foolishly, not all fools are poets, highlighting the complexity of human talent and folly.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge's quote challenges the stereotype that all poets are foolish. It implies that while there may be a tendency for poets to engage in what others perceive as foolish behavior, this does not mean that one must be a poet to embody foolishness. The nuance of the statement reflects on the nature of creativity and wisdom, suggesting that foolishness can exist independently of artistic expression.
Themes
PoetryFoolishnessWisdomArtCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the nature of artistic expression during a poetry workshop.
More from Samuel Taylor Coleridge
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And all who heard should see them there, And all should cry, Beware! Beware! His flashing eyes, his floating hair! Weave a circle round him thrice, And close your eyes with holy dread, For he on honey-dew hath fed, And drunk the milk of Paradise.
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Often do the spirits stride on before the event; and in today already walks tomorrow.
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Mr. Lyell's system of geology is just half the truth, and no more. He affirms a great deal that is true, and he denies a great deal which is equally true; which is the general characteristic of all systems not embracing the whole truth.
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To believe and to understand are not diverse things, but the same things in different periods of growth.
Samuel Taylor ColeridgeRead
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