Quotes With Meaning
Reading the very best writers—let us say Homer, Dante, Shakespeare, Tolstoy—is not going to make us better citizens. Art is perfectly useless, according to the sublime Oscar Wilde, who was right about everything. He also told us that all bad poetry is sincere. Had I the power to do so, I would command that these words be engraved above every gate at every university, so that each student might ponder the splendor of the insight.
Reading the very best writers—let us say Homer, Dante, Shakespeare, Tolstoy—is not going to make us better citizens. Art is perfectly useless, according to the sublime Oscar Wilde, who was right about everything. He also told us that all bad poetry is sincere. Had I the power to do so, I would command that these words be engraved above every gate at every university, so that each student might ponder the splendor of the insight.
This quote emphasizes that while great literature can enrich our understanding of the human experience, it does not inherently make us better members of society. Bloom references Oscar Wilde's assertion that art is often without practical use, suggesting that sincerity in art, even if flawed, holds value. The idea is that reading profound works by authors like Homer or Shakespeare doesn’t automatically lead to moral or civic improvement. Instead, it invites deeper reflection on what art contributes to our lives. Bloom believes these insights should be prominently displayed in educational institutions to encourage students to contemplate the role of art in their personal growth and societal responsibilities. Ultimately, engaging with literature should be about personal enrichment rather than a checklist for being a good citizen.