"Klopstock was questioned regarding the meaning of a passage in his poem. He replied, 'God and I both knew what it meant once; now God alone knows.'"
- Cesare Lombroso
About this Quote
This quote by Cesare Lombroso speaks to the mysterious and frequently unknowable nature of art and literature. Klopstock, a poet, was asked to discuss the meaning of a passage in his poem. His reaction was that he and God both understood the significance of the passage at one point, today just God knows. This suggests that the meaning of the poem is something that is beyond the poet's understanding, which it is just God who can truly comprehend the full scope of the poem's meaning. This quote speaks to the concept that art and literature can be interpreted in many different methods, and that the true meaning of a masterpiece is often unknowable. It likewise recommends that art and literature can be a source of spiritual insight, as just God can genuinely understand the complete scope of the poem's significance.
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