If a man comes to the door of poetry untouched by the madness of the Muses, believing that technique alone will make him a good poet, he and his sane compositions never reach perfection, but are utterly eclipsed by the performances of the inspired madman.

Socrates
About This Quote

If a man comes to the door of poetry untouched by the madness of the Muses, believing that technique alone will make him a good poet, he and his sane compositions never reach perfection, but are utterly eclipsed by the performances of the inspired madman. This quote by the Greek poet Anaximander speaks to the power of madness. Madmen are able to create works that are engrossing and powerful. These madmen are able to show us an alternate reality that is more powerful than anything we can see in our reality.

These poets and artists take us into their world and we become part of that world. They show us what it means to live in a world where we can be touched by magic and emotion beyond our own capacity.

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More Quotes By Socrates
  1. Not life, but good life, is to be chiefly valued.
  2. Know thyself.
  3. Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings so that you shall come easily by what others have labored hard for.
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