“Everything one invents is true you may be perfectly sure of that. Poetry is as precise as geometry”
— Gustave Flaubert
Simplified Meaning:
When people come up with or imagine something, it comes from their own truth and experiences. Think about a writer creating a story; even though the characters and events might not be real, the emotions and ideas are genuine because they reflect the writer's feelings and thoughts. Poetry, like emotions, might seem messy or vague at first, but it actually has its own exact structure and meaning, just like math. For example, in a poem about love, the precise choice of words and rhythm conveys deep feelings accurately, similar to how geometric shapes follow strict rules and properties in math. This comparison teaches us to appreciate the thought and intention behind creative works, seeing them as another form of truth grounded in real experiences. People can apply this understanding by looking for and valuing the deeper, sincere messages in artistic expressions in their own lives.