"There are no poetic ideas; only poetic utterances"
- Evelyn Waugh
About this Quote
In this quote, Evelyn Waugh is recommending that true poetry does not come from abstract ideas or concepts, but rather from the actual words and expressions used by the poet. He is emphasizing the significance of language and the power of words in producing poetry. Waugh is suggesting that a poet's ability to communicate their ideas and feelings through their option of words is what makes their work genuinely poetic. This quote challenges the concept that poetry is solely based upon deep and complex concepts, and instead highlights the significance of the poet's ability in crafting beautiful and meaningful utterances.
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