Quote by Neal Stephenson
the difference between poets and mystics . . . The mystic nails a symbol to one meaning that was true for a moment but soon becomes false. The poet, on the other hand, sees that truth but understands that symbols are always in flux and that their meanings are fleeting.
Summary
This quote highlights the distinction between poets and mystics. It suggests that mystics try to attach a fixed meaning to a symbol based on a transient truth, which eventually loses its relevance. On the contrary, poets comprehend this fluid nature of symbols and recognize that their meanings are fleeting as they evolve over time. Poets embrace this ever-changing nature and are open to various interpretations, understanding that symbols are not fixed entities but rather subject to constant transformation.
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