Only a stomach that rarely feels hungry scorns common things.
HoraceRead
The mad is either insane or he is composing verses.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The line suggests that madness and creativity often intertwine, particularly in the realm of poetry.
Horace highlights the thin line between madness and artistic expression, particularly in poetry. His words imply that those who delve into the depths of creativity may be perceived as mad, yet this madness could also be a form of unique inspiration that drives poets to create profound works of art.
Themes
MadnessCreativityPoetryArtistic ExpressionInspiration
In practice
Example use cases
A writer discussing the importance of embracing one's creative madness during a workshop.
More from Horace
All quotes βNow is the time for drinking; now the time to beat the earth with unfettered foot.
HoraceRead
Carpe diem! Rejoice while you are alive; enjoy the day; live life to the fullest; make the most of what you have. It is later than you think.
HoraceRead
It is of no consequence of what parents a man is born, as long as he be a man of merit.
HoraceRead
It is not the rich man you should properly call happy, _x000D_ but him who knows how to use with wisdom the blessings of the gods, _x000D_ to endure hard poverty, and who fears dishonor worse than death, _x000D_ and is not afraid to die for cherished friends or fatherland.
HoraceRead
Few cross the river of time and are able to reach non-being. Most of them run up and down only on this side of the river. But those who when they know the law follow the path of the law, they shall reach the other shore and go beyond the realm of death.
HoraceRead
Similar quotes
In every culture, in every language, there is expressive play, expressive word play; there's language use to different purposes that we would call poetry.
Edward HirschRead
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The sky, at sunset, looked like a carnivorous flower.
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Detroit, my 'great' subject, made me the person I am, consequently the writer I am - for better or worse.
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"Dirty Love" wasn't written and directed, it was committed. Here is a film so pitiful, it doesn't rise to the level of badness. It is hopelessly incompetent... I am not certain that anyone involved has ever seen a movie, or knows what one is.
Roger EbertRead
In other words, the unique value of the "authentic" work of art has its basis in ritual, the location of its original use value. This ritualistic basis, however remote, is still recognizable as secularized ritual even in the most profane forms of the cult of beauty.
Walter BenjaminRead