Great literature cannot grow from a neglected or impoverished soil. Only if we actually tend or care will it transpire that every hundred years or so we might get a Middlemarch.

Summary

This quote suggests that in order to produce great literature, it is necessary to cultivate and nourish the environment from which it emerges. The reference to a neglected or impoverished soil implies that a lack of attention and care will not yield remarkable literary works. The quote highlights the rarity of obtaining masterpieces like "Middlemarch" by emphasizing that they only emerge occasionally, perhaps once every century. It underscores the importance of investing time, effort, and nurturing into creating an environment conducive to producing great literature.

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