Milton, Madam, was a genius that could cut a Colossus from a rock; but could not carve heads upon cherry-stones.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the distinction between great artistic talent and the ability to execute trivial tasks.
Samuel Johnson uses this quote to illustrate the dichotomy between the vast potential of a genius like Milton, who could create monumental works of art, yet struggled with more delicate or trivial tasks, symbolized by carving heads on cherry-stones. This reflects the idea that true genius may excel in grand endeavors but may not always be adept at simpler, more mundane activities.
In practice
This quote could be referenced in a discussion about the nature of artistic talent in a classroom setting.
To be of no church is dangerous. Religion, of which the rewards are distant, and which is animated only by faith and hope, will glide by degrees out of the mind unless it be invigorated and reimpressed by external ordinances, by stated calls to worship, and the salutary influence of example.
He that reads and grows no wiser seldom suspects his own deficiency, but complains of hard words and obscure sentences, and asks why books are written which cannot be understood.
To let friendship die away by negligence and silence is certainly not wise. It is voluntarily to throw away one of the greatest comforts of the weary pilgrimage.
Fly-fishing may be a very pleasant amusement; but angling or float fishing I can only compare to a stick and a string, with a worm at one end and a fool at the other.
When any anxiety or gloom of the mind takes hold of you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaining; but exert yourselves to hide it, and by endeavoring to hide it you drive it away.
A fishing rod is a stick with a hook at one end and a fool at the other.
I don't take drugs: I am drugs.
Writing doesn't mean necessarily putting words on a sheet of paper. You can write a chapter while walking or eating.
The arts have always served relationships between people of different cultures so well. In a way, the arts function as a very serious kind of ambassador.
I love singing jazz. I don't like the idea that classical music should be over here and jazz should be someplace else. It's all wonderful, and we should be open to enjoying it all.
Who made art history? Not the most reasonable people. The mad men did. If painting is the mirror of a time, it must be mad to have a true image of what that time is. To one madness we oppose another madness.
I am increasingly attracted to restricting possibility in the poem by inflicting a form upon yourself. Once you impose some formal pattern on yourself, then the poem is pushing back. I think good poems are often the result of that kind of wrestling with the form.
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