What is Grand is necessarily obscure to Weak men. That which can be made Explicit to the idiot is not worth my care.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Blake says that what is grand is obscure to weak people, and anything made explicit for the stupid is not worth his concern.
- In plain terms
- Great things are hidden from the weak; simplifying them for the stupid is unimportant.
- What can you take from it?
- Value complexity and avoid over‑simplification.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is complexity inherently valuable?
- How can we balance depth with clarity?
Another view
It dismisses the need for accessible communication.
More from William Blake
When the stars threw down their spears, And water'd heaven with their tears, Did he smile his work to see? Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Permalink to quote #113 But Want of Money & the Distress of A Thief can never be alleged as the Cause of his Thieving, for many honest people endure greater hard ships with Fortitude.…
Permalink to quote #115 In what distant deeps or skies Burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand dare seize the fire?
Permalink to quote #112
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