Great Art and Sham Art

Art has no end in view save the emphasising and recording in the most

effective way some strongly felt interest or affection. Where there is

neither interest nor desire to record with good effect, there is but sham

art, or none at all: where both these are fully present, no matter how

rudely and inarticulately, there is great art. Art is at best a dress,

important, yet still nothing in comparison with the wearer, and, as a

general rule, the less it attracts attention the better.

The Note-Books of Samuel Butler · 第 208 / 602 题