The deepest quality of a work of art will always be the quality of the mind of the producer...No good novel will ever proceed from a superficial mind.
Henry JamesRead
Don’t underestimate the value of irony—it is extremely valuable.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Irony has great significance and impact, often overlooked.
Henry James emphasizes the importance of irony, suggesting that its value is often underestimated despite its ability to reveal deeper truths and insights about life, human behavior, and society. By acknowledging the layers of meaning in ironic situations, we can gain a greater understanding of our experiences and the world around us.
Themes
IronyValueUnderestimateWisdomTruth
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on literature, a professor might cite this quote to illustrate the importance of recognizing irony in storytelling.
More from Henry James
All quotes →What is character but the determination of incident? What is incident but the illustration of character?
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Never say you know the last word about any human heart.
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I adore adverbs; they are the only qualifications I really much respect.
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We care what happens to people only in proportion as we know what people are.
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A swift carriage, of a dark night, rattling with four horses over roads that one can’t see--that’s my idea of happiness.
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