Life never presents us with anything which may not be looked upon as a fresh starting point, no less than as a termination.
Andre GideRead
It is with noble sentiments that bad literature gets written.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Bad literature often stems from good intentions and noble feelings.
In this quote, Andre Gide suggests that the creation of inferior literary works can occur even when the author is driven by noble intentions and sentiments. This implies that good intentions alone may not suffice for producing quality literature, as skill and understanding are also essential in the art of writing.
Themes
LiteratureNobleIntentionsWritingQuality
In practice
Example use cases
During a literary discussion, one might use this quote to point out that not all work with good intentions resonates with audiences.
More from Andre Gide
All quotes →Do not do what someone else could do as well as you. Do not say, do not write what someone else could say, could write as well as you. Care for nothing in yourself but what you feel exists nowhere else. And, out of yourself create, impatiently or patiently, the most irreplaceable of beings.
Andre GideRead
Old hands soil, it seems, whatever they caress, but they too have their beauty when they are joined in prayer. Young hands were made for caresses and the sheathing of love. It is a pity to make them join too soon.
Andre GideRead
Through fear of resembling one another, through horror of having to submit, through uncertainty as well, through skepticism and complexity, there is a multitude of individual little beliefs for the triumph of strange little individuals.
Andre GideRead
It is the special quality of love not to be able to remain stationary, to be obliged to increase under pain of diminishing.
Andre GideRead
I intend to bring you strength, joy, courage, perspicacity, defiance.
Andre GideRead
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