Quote by Edmond de Goncourt
A book is never a masterpiece: it becomes one. Genius is the talent of a dead man.
Summary
This quote suggests that a book does not automatically become a masterpiece upon its creation, but rather, it transforms into one over time. It implies that the status of being a masterpiece is not achieved solely by the skill of a living author, but rather it is the recognition and appreciation of the book's greatness by readers and critics that elevates it to that level. The mention of "genius" being the talent of a dead person indicates that true brilliance and artistic mastery are often fully realized and acknowledged only after an artist's demise.