For poetry the idea is everything; the rest is a world of illusion, of divine illusion. Poetry attaches its emotion to the idea; the idea is the fact. The strongest part of our religion today is its unconscious poetry.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Poetry relies on ideas which are treated as facts, and religion often unconsciously uses poetry to attach emotion to ideas.
- In plain terms
- Poetry makes ideas feel real; religion often uses poetry without knowing it.
- What can you take from it?
- Value ideas as facts in poetry and religion.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is your religion poetic?
- How do ideas function in art?
Another view
Religion may rely on doctrine more than unconscious poetry.
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