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Quote by Van Wyck Brooks

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Van Wyck Brooks
Van Wyck Brooks

Van Wyck Brooks was a prominent American literary critic and historian, recognized for his substantial contributions to the study of American literary history. He is particularly known for his studies on the New England transcendentalists and the American Renaissance. Brooks's writing was marked by its intellectual depth and its ability to engage with both literary and historical issues. more

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“There is rarely a creative man who does not have to pay a high price for the divine spark of his greatest gifts... the human element is frequently bled for the benefit of the creative element and to such an extent that it even brings out the bad qualities, as for instance, ruthless, naive egoism (so-called "auto-eroticism"), vanity, all kinds of vices-and all this in order to bring to the human I at least some life-strength, since otherwise it would perish of sheer inanition.”

“The principle of Creative Limitations calls for freedom within a circle of obstacles and restricted boundaries. Talent is like a muscle: without something to push against, it atrophies. So we deliberately put obstacles in our path - barriers that will inspire us. We disciple ourselves as to what to do, while we're boundless as to how to do it.”