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Quote by David Guterson

Work

Snow Falling on Cedars

This novel delves into the lives of Japanese-American residents in a coastal town during World War II, focusing on a murder trial that intertwines personal and historical conflicts. more

Author

David Guterson
David Guterson

David Guterson is an American novelist known for his profound psychological portraits and complex character development. His works often delve into themes of family, love, and moral dilemmas. His notable works include 'Snow Falling on Cedars' and 'Eden'. more

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“I think of published poets that you could know of...I think [Rainer Maria Rilke] probably has the most great published poems of any poet [...] but Rilke himself was an asshole. If you look at his biography, he was probably misogynist; he was a liar, a cheat; he was a terrible father; he was selfish; he put people down; he had no consideration for anyone [...] yet, he transcends that in his greatest poems. There's that ineffable, spiritual quality - that he himself couldn't reach! But somewhere underneath that reptilian exterior, that asshole exterior of Rainer Maria Rilke, there was some good that came through – like these little sunbursts coming through clouds – that had that moment. And he'd write the Duino Elegies, he'd write the New Poems, and somewhere, that came through. And that's an amazing thing: you can have a lot of great people who are great individuals, who are loving and caring – and they can't do that. And that's not to say that their lives are meaningless, but they will never be able to affect anyone past the propinquity of their existence. They are never going to be able to affect someone in China; they are never going to be able to affect someone in 2132 the way Rilke can. And that specialness needs to be acknowledged; that specialness needs to be upheld; it needs to be rewarded, and people need to say, 'Goddamn – that's a good thing! It's a good thing that people make art!”

InspirationalArtEmotionKindnessPowerGeniusPosterityTimelessnessRainer Maria Rilke
Author:Dan Schneider
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