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

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
Read Quote

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
Read Quote
Other Quotes from
Translation
category

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

The test of a given phrase would be: Is it worthy to be immortal? To make a beeline for something. Thats worthy of being immortal and is immortal in English idiom. I guess Ill split is not going to be immortal and is excludable, therefore excluded. – Robert Fitzgerald

Category:
Translation

Translation is the paradigm, the exemplar of all writing. It is translation that demonstrates most vividly the yearning for transformation that underlies every act involving speech, that supremely human gift. – Harry Mathews

Category:
Translation

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

Random Quotes

Home will always be Northern Ireland but my schedule means for the next few years I wont be there as much. I cant do the same things that I did a year ago. That is Im something conscious of, but Im not sad about it. Its fine. – Rory McIlroy

Category:
sad

Once you say youre going to settle for second, thats what happens to you in life. – John F. Kennedy

Category:
Life

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and dont lean on your own understanding. In all things acknowledge him, and he shall direct your way. Proverbs 3:5, 6 – Bible

Category:
Trust

An unjust peace is better than a just war. – Marcus Tullius Cicero

Category:
Peace