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Quote#Wisdom

It frequently happens that where the second line is sublime, the…

Quote byHugh Blair · 1718–1800

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Commenting on Lucan's style. Borrowed from Longinus, Treatise on the Sublime, sect. III. Reported in Notes and Queries, vol. 5, no. 118 (31 January 1852) pp. 100–101, and in Hoyt's (1922) p. 674. See also: Marmontel.

English (original)

It frequently happens that where the second line is sublime, the third, in which he meant to rise still higher, is perfectly bombast.

— Hugh Blair

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