Famous quote by Moliere

"Some of the most famous books are the least worth reading. Their fame was due to their having done something that needed to be doing in their day. The work is done and the virtue of the book has expired"

About this Quote

Molière's quote offers a thought-provoking review on the nuanced relationship between a book's popularity and its enduring worth. When he specifies, "Some of the most popular books are the least worth reading", he challenges the assumption that popularity and quality are associated. Molière suggests that numerous popular works owe their renown not to their intrinsic literary benefit, however to their prompt intervention in particular cultural or historic contexts. These books, through their styles or innovations, filled a particular void or dealt with a pushing issue of their time.

The next part of the quote, "Their fame was due to their having done something that required to be carrying out in their day", highlights this temporal significance. A book might get stature since it resonates deeply with synchronous audiences, maybe by pioneering a brand-new literary design, addressing social injustices, or recording the zeitgeist. Such works can galvanize change or reflect shifts in public consciousness, acquiring a status that may eclipse works of greater literary craftsmanship.

However, Molière argues, "The work is done and the virtue of the book has actually expired". Here, he points out that the qualities which made these books iconic are often ephemeral. As soon as the cultural or social requirements they attended to have been met or developed, the books may lose their urgency and significance. Essentially, they become artifacts of historic worth instead of ageless artworks.

Molière's point of view invites readers to determine between momentary praise and withstanding impact. It encourages a vital evaluation of literary canon, triggering us to concern which works really provide ageless insights and which ones were merely impactful in their historical minute. His reflection suggests that real literary worth transcends the immediate and addresses universal styles that resonate across ages. In this view, the task for readers and critics is to continuously reassess which works come from each classification, acknowledging that fame in a specific era does not ensure long lasting worth.

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About the Author

France Flag This quote is from Moliere between January 15, 1622 and February 17, 1673. He was a famous Playwright from France. The author also have 45 other quotes.
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