As one knows the poet by his fine music, so one can recognize the liar by his rich rhythmic utterance, and in neither case will the casual inspiration of the moment suffice. Here, as elsewhere, practice must precede perfection.

Summary

This quote highlights the idea that just as one can identify a poet by their beautiful use of language, one can also detect a liar by their skillful manipulation of words. Both poets and liars require not just spontaneous inspiration, but also practice and refinement of their craft to achieve mastery. This suggests that deceptive individuals cannot simply rely on their ability to fabricate stories on the spot, but must also develop a compelling and convincing style of communication through regular practice. The quote emphasizes that true expertise in any art form or skill often requires disciplined and dedicated effort.

Topics