'In America literary reputations come and go so swiftly,' I complained, fatuously. [Santayana's] answer was swift. 'It would be insufferable if they did not.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Rapid change in reputation prevents stagnation. Constant turnover keeps culture dynamic.
- In plain terms
- Reputations changing fast keeps things fresh.
- What can you take from it?
- Change prevents cultural stagnation.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does fame last long enough to matter?
- Is constant change good for culture?
Another view
It ignores the value of sustained recognition.
More from George Santayana
The great difficulty in education is to get experience out of ideas.
Permalink to quote #67 Life is neither a feast nor a spectacle, but a predicament.
Permalink to quote #66 The truth is cruel, but it can be loved, and it makes free those who have loved it.
Permalink to quote #65
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