Lord Byron is great only as a poet; as soon as he reflects, he is a child.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Byron is great as a poet, but when he reflects, he behaves childishly.
- In plain terms
- He excels in poetry but is immature when thinking.
- What can you take from it?
- Creative talent may not translate to mature reasoning.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can brilliance coexist with immaturity?
- How should we evaluate artists' personal flaws?
Another view
The claim is a personal judgment, not an objective fact.
More from Lord Byron
I never heard a single expression of fondness for him fall from the lips of any of those who knew him well.
Permalink to quote #129 From the poetry of Lord Byron they drew a system of ethics, compounded of misanthropy and voluptuousness, a system in which the two great commandments were, to…
Permalink to quote #131 It still saddens me that Lord Byron, who showed such impatience with the fickle public, wasn't aware of how well the Germans can understand him and how highly …
Permalink to quote #128
Related quotes
In a room at the end of the garden to this house was a magnificent rocking-horse, which a friend had given my little boy; and Lord Byron, with a childish glee …
Lord ByronLord Byron quote #132 Praying is another way of singing. You plant in the tree the soul of lemons. You plant in the gardens the spirit of roses.
Dannie AbseDannie Abse quote #1 With a sudden sharp hot stink of fox, It enters the dark hole of the head. The window is starless still; the clock ticks, The page is printed.
Ted HughesTed Hughes quote #2