A Reflection on the Arts

from Death in Venice
Thomas Mann

Verily it is well for the world that it sees only the beauty of the completed work and not its origins nor the conditions whence it sprang; since knowledge of the artist's inspiration might often but confuse and alarm and so prevent the full effect of its excellence. Strange hours, indeed, these were and strangely unnerving the labour that filled them! Strangely fruitful intercourse this, between one body and another mind! When Aschenbach put aside his work and left the beach he felt exhausted, he felt broken--conscience reproached him, as it were after a debauch.

Comments

  1. FredJuly 7, 2010 at 9:54 AM

    Steven,

    A beautiful quote. I'm going to steal this if you don't mind.

    ReplyDelete
  2. StevenJuly 7, 2010 at 10:21 AM

    Dear Fred,

    Not at all. I lifted it from Herr Mann.

    Steven

    ReplyDelete

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