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About this quote

What does it mean?
The poet despises imprecision.
In plain terms
A poet hates lack of exactness.
What can you take from it?
Strive for precision in artistic expression.

Where it applies

  • writing
  • painting

Putting it to work

  • edit for clarity
  • choose precise language

Questions to consider

  • When does approximation serve art?
  • Is precision always better?

Another view

Artistic value can also arise from ambiguity.

More from Rainer Maria Rilke

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