nature and art conspire to raise it; pleasure and profit join to make it valuable
 Homer, Iliad (c. 850 BC). copy citation

add
Author Homer
Source Iliad
Topic pleasure profit
Date c. 850 BC
Language English
Reference
Note Translated by Alexander Pope
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/6130/6130-h/6130-h.htm

Context

“and if he has failed in some of his flights, it was but because he attempted everything. A work of this kind seems like a mighty tree, which rises from the most vigorous seed, is improved with industry, flourishes, and produces the finest fruit: nature and art conspire to raise it; pleasure and profit join to make it valuable: and they who find the justest faults, have only said that a few branches which run luxuriant through a richness of nature, might be lopped into form to give it a more regular appearance. Having now spoken of the beauties and defects of the original, it remains to treat of the translation, with the same view to the chief characteristic.” source