If a writer has to rob his mother, he will not hesitate: The 'Ode on a Grecian Urn' is worth any number of old ladies.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The value of art and literature outweighs individual moral costs, even extreme ones.
- In plain terms
- Great art is worth any cost, even morally questionable ones.
- What can you take from it?
- Art can justify extreme means in the eyes of the creator.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is art worth any cost?
- Where do you draw the line?
Another view
It dismisses moral responsibility in favor of art.
More from William Faulkner
All of us failed to match our dreams of perfection. So I rate us on the basis of our splendid failure to do the impossible.
Permalink to quote #26 Everything goes by the board: honor, pride, decency : to get the book written.
Permalink to quote #28 Maybe the only thing worse than having to give gratitude constantly is having to accept it.
Permalink to quote #25
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