"Dali is like a man who hesitates between talent and genius, or, as one might once have said, between vice and virtue"

André Breton's remark about Salvador Dalí is a thought-provoking commentary on the complicated nature of creative skill and personal character. This statement, while quick, encapsulates a dualistic view of Dalí's character and his contributions to the art world. By juxtaposing "talent and genius" with "vice and virtue", Breton highlights both the luster and the ethical obscurity that identified Dalí's life and work.

To begin with, the expression "hesitates between skill and genius" suggests a continuous deliberation or struggle within Dalí. Talent indicates a natural ability or ability, something that can be refined with practice and dedication. Genius, on the other hand, transcends simple ability; it represents an amazing level of intellectual or innovative power that is often viewed as innate and inexplicable. By recommending that Dalí vacillated in between these two states, Breton hints at moments when Dalí either fell short of or went beyond the expectations set by his natural talents.

The comparison of "vice and virtue" introduces an ethical dimension to this interpretation. Vice and virtue are ethical qualities reflecting one's character; vice denotes unethical or wicked habits, while virtue recommends ethical excellence. Breton could be indicating that Dalí's imagination was accompanied by ethical uncertainty or individual excesses. Dalí was known for his eccentric character and in some cases controversial behavior, which typically led to polarized public and important viewpoints.

In a more comprehensive sense, Breton's comment might be deemed a reflection on the relationship between an artist's individual life and their work. It recommends that Dalí's artistic genius was inseparable from his character flaws, with his unconventional way of life affecting both his art and how it was perceived. Eventually, Breton captures the double nature of Dalí, welcoming factor to consider of how personal complexity feeds into artistic legacy. The stress in between these dichotomies-- skill and genius, vice and virtue-- develops a dynamic interplay that marked Dalí's career and cemented his place in the annals of art history.