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Quote by Edith Hamilton
There are few efforts more conducive to humility than that of the

There are few efforts more conducive to humility than that of the translator trying to communicate an incommunicable beauty. Yet, unless we do try, something unique and never surpassed will cease to exist except in the libraries of a few inquisitive book lovers. – Edith Hamilton

Other quotes by Edith Hamilton

None but a poet can write a tragedy. For tragedy is nothing less than pain transmuted into exaltation by the alchemy of poetry. – Edith Hamilton

Category:
Poetry
Author
Edith Hamilton
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A peoples literature is the great textbook for real knowledge of them. The writings of the day show the quality of the people as no historical reconstruction can. – Edith Hamilton

Category:
Knowledge
Author
Edith Hamilton
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Other Quotes from
Translation
category

Woe to the makers of literal translations, who by rendering every word weaken the meaning! It is indeed by so doing that we can say the letter kills and the spirit gives life. – Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet)

Category:
Translation

The best thing on translation was said by Cervantes: translation is the other side of a tapestry. – Leonardo Sciascia

Category:
Translation

Any translation which intends to perform a transmitting function cannot transmit anything but information — hence, something inessential. This is the hallmark of bad translations. – Walter Benjamin

Category:
Translation

As far as modern writing is concerned, it is rarely rewarding to translate it, although it might be easy. Translation is very much like copying paintings. – Boris Pasternak

Category:
Translation

Random Quotes

Nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people. – John Quincy Adams

Category:
power

One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others. – Niccolo Machiavelli

Category:
Change

I have ceased to question stars and books; I have begun to listen to the teaching my blood whispers to me. – Herman Hesse

Category:
Body

Its commonly said that people whove been ill in childhood and whove had an upset education never really regret that they do. It means that you dont look at the world in the way that other people do, and if you were inclined to be a writer, thats a help. – John Keegan

Category:
Education