Quote #69
Poetry demands a man with a special gift for it, or else one with a touch of madness in him. (1455a33)
More from Aristotle
- Poetry is finer and more philosophical than history; for poetry expresses the universal, and history only the particular. (1451b6)
- But the greatest thing by far is to have a command of metaphor. This alone cannot be imparted by another; it is the mark of genius, for to …
- A whole is that which has beginning, middle, and end. (1450b26)
- Homer has taught all other poets the art of telling lies skillfully. (1460a19)
- A tragedy, then, is the imitation of an action ... with incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish its catharsis of such emo…
- For the purposes of poetry a convincing impossibility is preferable to an unconvincing possibility. (1461b11)
- Young people are in a condition like permanent intoxication, because youth is sweet and they are growing.
- Education is the best provision for old age.