To understand a saint, you must hear the devil's advocate; and the same is true of the artist.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The author states that understanding any complex figure requires hearing opposing viewpoints or critiques.
- In plain terms
- To truly understand a saint or artist you must also hear their critics.
- What can you take from it?
- Truth requires looking at opposing perspectives.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What is the devil's advocate view here?
- Why do we ignore opposing views?
Another view
Some may be defined solely by their actions without need for opposing views.
More from George Bernard Shaw
[Chess] is a foolish expedient for making idle people believe they are doing something very clever, when they are only wasting their time.
Permalink to quote #15 Why was I born with such contemporaries?
Permalink to quote #17 You must not suppose, because I am a man of letters, that I never tried to earn an honest living.
Permalink to quote #14
Related quotes
'I'm accusing you of violating the laws of nature,' he said, irritated at my failure to respond. 'Nature's virtue is intact,' I reassured him. 'I just know som…
Orson Scott CardOrson Scott Card quote #1 'Kant ought to be arrested and given three years in Solovki asylum for that 'proof' of his!' Ivan Nikolayich burst out completely unexpectedly. 'Ivan!' whisper…
Mikhail BulgakovMikhail Bulgakov quote #2 In order to properly understand the big picture, everyone should fear becoming mentally clouded and obsessed with one small section of truth.
Xun ZiXun Zi quote #4