It is fatal to suppose the great writer was too wise or too profound for us ever to understand him; to think of art so is not to praise but to murder it, for the next step after that tribute will be neglect of the masterpiece.

John Erskine
About This Quote

The next step after that tribute will be neglect of the masterpiece, meaning it is dangerous to think highly of great writing. If the great writer is too wise or too profound for us ever to understand him, then we must not take him so seriously or find his work so important. Instead, we must let his work speak for itself and allow others to create their own opinions.

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