Spiritual Experiences (Odhner) n. 2993

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2993. On the effectiveness from a diversity of style

I was shown vividly how some who strive only for a brilliant style continually keep their mind set on brilliance and praiseworthiness of style, not on the subject at hand, only so that he who is writing may be famous for it because he is treating of lofty matters. Thus he continually reflects on praise for himself and superiority on account of style, [and not] that such a style is ineffective for inward people, and that such [writers] condemn others and the kind of style that explains the matter fully to the understanding-others, whose style is such that the words or expressions follow from goodness of heart, whose [object] is the betterment of the neighbor and his or her education. In this case the subject shapes the style of each according to their gift, but with those just spoken of, the style shapes the subject, so that from style one is brought to the subject, a procedure having no effectiveness, because the subject does not govern the style.


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