I was an awful critic. I operated on the assumption that there was an absolute scale of values against which art could be measured. I didn't trust my own subjective responses.
Tom StoppardRead
The poet is never inspired, because he is the master of that which appears to others as inspiration. He does not wait for inspiration to fall out of the heavens like roasted ortolans. He knows how to hunt...He is never inspired because he is unceasingly inspired, because the powers of poetry are always at his disposition, subjected to his will, submissive to his own activity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The poet actively creates rather than passively waiting for inspiration.
This quote suggests that true poets do not rely on sudden bursts of creativity or inspiration from outside themselves; instead, they possess the skill and discipline to summon poetic ideas at will. It emphasizes the idea that artistry is not just about receiving inspiration, but about mastering the craft and engaging in a continuous, proactive process of creation.
Themes
PoetryCreationInspirationCraftArtistry
In practice
Example use cases
This quote is perfect for a poetry workshop to emphasize discipline in writing.
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