The truth is, as every one knows, that the great artists of the world are never Puritans, and seldom even ordinarily respectable. No virtuous man -- that is, virtuous in the Y.M.C.A. sense -- has ever painted a picture worth looking at, or written a symphony worth hearing, or a book worth reading, and it is highly improbable that the thing has ever been done by a virtuous woman.

Summary

This quote reflects the idea that great artists are often unconventional and do not conform to societal expectations of virtue and respectability. The author suggests that artists who create works that are truly meaningful and significant often challenge moral norms and embrace alternative perspectives. They argue that virtuous individuals, defined in a narrow sense, have rarely produced art or literature of substantial value. The quote highlights the perception that true artistic brilliance may come from those who venture beyond the boundaries of traditional moral and societal standards.

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