Certain geniuses appear from time to time, to create new literatures, or to resuscitate old ones; they deliver their message to the world, express the sentiment of their own generation, and we hear from them no more.
 Gustave Flaubert, Bouvard et Pécuchet (1881). copy citation

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Author Gustave Flaubert
Source Bouvard et Pécuchet
Topic literature genius
Date 1881
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink https://www.gutenberg.org/files/46909/46909-h/46909-h.htm

Context

“Sterne attempted to reproduce the style of Rabelais, but his affectation and over-refined sensibility destroyed the parallel. No, Rabelais is unique because he himself expresses the traits and characteristics of an entire century. His work possesses the highest significance in literature, politics, morals and religion. Certain geniuses appear from time to time, to create new literatures, or to resuscitate old ones; they deliver their message to the world, express the sentiment of their own generation, and we hear from them no more. Homer sang the glories of the martial life, of the valiant and warlike youth of the world, the vernal season when the trees put forth new sprouts. In Virgil’s day civilisation was already old; we find him full of tears, of shadows, sentiment and delicacy.” source