We must never expect discretion in first love: it is accompanied by such excessive joy that unless the joy is allowed to overflow, it will choke you.
Alexandre DumasRead
There are some situations which men understand by instinct, by which reason is powerless to explain; in such cases the greatest poet is he who gives utterance to the most natural and vehement outburst of sorrow. Those who hear the bitter cry are as much impressed as if they listened to an entire poem, and when th sufferer is sincere they are right in regarding his outburst as sublime.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the power of instinctual expression in art, particularly when conveying emotion and sorrow.
In this quote, Alexandre Dumas explores the idea that there are emotions and experiences that words alone cannot fully articulate. He suggests that the pure, instinctive expressions of pain or sorrow can resonate deeply with others, often leaving a profound impact similar to that of a carefully crafted poem. The sincerity of the sufferer elevates their raw emotions to a sublime status, highlighting the importance of genuine expression in art and human connection.
Themes
ArtEmotionSorrowExpressionPoetry
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about emotional art during a lecture.
More from Alexandre Dumas
All quotes →There are two ways of seeing: with the body and with the soul. The body's sight can sometimes forget, but the soul remembers forever.
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I do not often laugh, sir, as you may perceive by the air of my countenance; but nevertheless, I retain the privilege of laughing when I please.
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There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness.
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Those born to wealth, and who have the means of gratifying every wish, know not what is the real happiness of life, just as those who have been tossed on the stormy waters of the ocean on a few frail planks can alone realize the blessings of fair weather.
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It is the way of weakened minds to see everything through a black cloud. The soul forms its own horizons; your soul is darkened, and consequently the sky of the future appears stormy and unpromising
Alexandre DumasRead
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