In its conception the literature prize belongs to days when a writer could still be thought of as, by virtue of his or her occupation, a sage, someone with no institutional affiliations who could offer an authoritative word on our times as well as on our moral life.

Summary

This quote suggests that the literature prize emerged during a time when writers were seen as wise individuals, independent of any institutional ties, capable of providing meaningful insights into their era and moral values. It implies that the nature of the literature prize has changed over time, as writers are now often associated with academic or organizational affiliations. Therefore, this quote alludes to a longing for a bygone era where authors were revered as wise sages with the ability to shed light on important societal and moral issues.

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