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Sun 7 Nov, 2004 10:15 pm
I am confused by "there is no defect but may be excused"
Does it mean "there is no defect, but, the defect may be excused"?
In addition, considerable = so many?
Context:
In short, there is no defect but may be excused, if it is a sufficient excuse that it can be imputed to considerable artists; but it must be remembered that it was not by these defects they acquired their reputation: they have a right to our pardon, but not to our admiration.
It means that any flaw can be overlooked... (did you know that some hand-knotted "Persian" rugs have flaws DELIBERATELY inserted into the pattern?
It was traditionally a nod of humility to Allah; acknowledging that when seeking Perfection, one should look only to God.)
Navaho rugs from the southwestern U.S. also have deliberate flaws, for similar reasons.
And yes, considerable artists in this case means many artists...
Thanks, Magus and Wy.
The "may be excused" only refers to "flaws DELIBERATELY inserted into"?
But "To err is human"...
"No defect but may be excused". That's a rather old form of wording meaning "no defect that cannot be excused".
"Considerable" in this context means, to me, artists of major (i.e. considerable) repute, nothing to do with quantity.
As we used to say where I worked, "To err is human. To forgive is not company policy."
Very cool! Ewood!
And I like the realistic slogan -- "To err is human. To forgive is not company policy."
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