Greatness in Art

If a work of art—music, literature or painting—is for all time, it must

be independent of the conventions, dialects, costumes and fashions of any

time; if not great without help from such unessential accessories, no

help from them can greaten it. A man must wear the dress of his own

time, but no dressing can make a strong man of a weak one.

The Note-Books of Samuel Butler · 第 159 / 602 题