"Poetry and progress are like two ambitious men who hate one another with an instinctive hatred, and when they meet upon the same road, one of them has to give place"
- Charles Baudelaire
About this Quote
This quote by Charles Baudelaire is a contrast in between poetry and progress. He suggests that the two are like 2 ambitious males who have an instinctive hatred for one another. When they come across each other on the very same road, among them needs to give way. This comparison implies that poetry and development remain in opposition to one another, and that one should take precedence over the other. Baudelaire is recommending that development is more important than poetry, which it should take precedence. He is likewise implying that poetry is not as crucial as progress, and that it ought to take a rear seat. This quote is a reflection of Baudelaire's views on the significance of development and the role of poetry in society. He believes that development needs to be focused on over poetry, which poetry should not be provided excessive significance.
"In my case Pilgrim's Progress consisted in my having to climb down a thousand ladders until I could reach out my hand to the little clod of earth that I am"