Poetry fettered fetters the human race. Nations are destroyed, or flourish, in proportion as their poetry, painting, and music are destroyed or flourish!
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Poetry, art, and music bind societies; their destruction leads to national decline, while their flourishing strengthens nations.
- In plain terms
- Arts hold societies together; when they die, nations fall.
- What can you take from it?
- Support the arts to sustain a healthy nation.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How directly do arts influence national strength?
- What other factors might be equally important?
Another view
Correlation does not prove causation; many factors affect a nation's fate.
More from William Blake
Grown old in love from seven till seven times seven, I oft have wished for Hell for ease from Heaven.
Permalink to quote #143 I must Create a System, or be enslav'd by another Man's; I will not Reason and Compare: my business is to Create.
Permalink to quote #145 The Angel that presided o'er my birth Said, 'Little creature, formed of joy and mirth, Go love without the help of any thing on earth.'
Permalink to quote #142
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