The Influence of Literature upon Society (1800), Pt. 2, ch. 5
“
If we would succeed in works of the imagination, we must offer a mild morality in the midst of rigid manners; but where the manners are corrupt, we must consistently hold up to view an austere morality.
— Anne Louise Germaine de Staël
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "If we would succeed in works of the imagination, we must offer a mild morality in the midst of rigid manners; but where the manners are corrupt, we must consistently hold up to view an austere morality." in the context of "The Influence of Literature upon Society (1800), Pt. 2, ch. 5" to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "Anne Louise Germaine de Staël" (Quotes)
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
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About Anne Louise Germaine de Staël
Anne Louise Germaine de Staël (April 22, 1766 – July 14, 1817), commonly known as Madame de Staël, was a French-speaking Swiss author living in Paris and abroad, who determined literary tastes of Europe at the turn of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
About Anne Louise Germaine de Staël
Anne Louise Germaine de Staël (April 22, 1766 – July 14, 1817), commonly known as Madame de Staël, was a French-speaking Swiss author living in Paris and abroad, who determined literary tastes of Europe at the turn of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
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