If Poetry comes not as naturally as the leaves to a tree, it had better not come at all.
In plain words
If writing does not come as naturally as leaves to a tree, leave it alone.
Where these words come from
- 85% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
- Letter to John Taylor, 27 February 1818, one of Keats's poetic 'axioms.' Standard quotation drops the letter's leading 'That'; full original reads 'That if Poetry comes not...'
- Letter to John Taylor
- 1818
More from John Keats
See allA thing of beauty is a joy forever.
John KeatsI was never afraid of failure; for I would sooner fail than not be among the greatest.John KeatsMany have original minds who do not think it — they are led away by custom.John KeatsNothing is finer for the purposes of great productions than a very gradual ripening of the intellectual powers.John Keats
John KeatsI was never afraid of failure; for I would sooner fail than not be among the greatest.John KeatsMany have original minds who do not think it — they are led away by custom.John KeatsNothing is finer for the purposes of great productions than a very gradual ripening of the intellectual powers.John KeatsMore on creativity
The more the marble wastes, the more the statue grows.
MichelangeloMelody is the essence of music.
Wolfgang Amadeus MozartMusic must never offend the ear, even in most horrendous situations, but must always be pleasing.Wolfgang Amadeus MozartMelody and harmony should be simply tools in the hands of the artist, with which he creates music.
Giuseppe VerdiFiction is to the grown man what play is to the child; it is there that he changes the atmosphere and tenor of his life.
Robert Louis StevensonBooks, the children of the brain.
Jonathan Swift
MichelangeloMelody is the essence of music.Wolfgang Amadeus MozartMusic must never offend the ear, even in most horrendous situations, but must always be pleasing.Wolfgang Amadeus MozartMelody and harmony should be simply tools in the hands of the artist, with which he creates music.Giuseppe VerdiFiction is to the grown man what play is to the child; it is there that he changes the atmosphere and tenor of his life.Robert Louis StevensonBooks, the children of the brain.Jonathan Swift