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Writing is the mother of eloquence and the father of artists.

Writing is the mother of eloquence and the father of artists.
Traditional

Historical period not yet established

Meaning in plain English

Writing called mother of eloquence and father of artists gives it a generative role in expression. The saying values written practice as a source of creative development.

What the words are saying

The parental image is figurative rather than a verified account of all artistic origins. A responsible reading can appreciate writing without excluding oral, visual or other forms of learning and creation. Access to literacy does not establish artistic worth, and practice alone does not guarantee accomplishment.

Everyday example

Someone uses writing to develop an idea while recognising that another maker works effectively through a different medium.

When to use it

Use it to discuss one creative practice without making it universal.

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What it does not mean

No exclusive origin of art or worth ranking by literacy is established.

Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.

Attribution & collection notes
Author or tradition
Traditional
Attribution: traditional
Country attributed
Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin.
Historical period
Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates.
Recorded source
Contributor-provided wisdom reference (2014 AD)

Supplied reference B; unit 490; PDF page 46; collection label: Babylon/Iraq

A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.

Culture
Babylon/Iraq