Literary notes about Inutile (AI summary)
The term "inutile" in literature is often employed to underscore the notion of futility or a lack of essential purpose. In poetic expression, it is used to describe something as inherently empty or worthless—as in evoking a fragile, perishable state with phrases like "inutile lignum" that emphasize decay and insignificance [1], [2]. Philosophical and rhetorical treatments similarly deploy the word to criticize actions or ideas as superfluous or morally inconsequential, thereby questioning the value of endeavors seen as fruitless or counterproductive [3], [4]. Its use spans a broad spectrum from art criticism—where elaborate details are sometimes deemed "inutile"—to everyday commentary on tasks and precautions that, ultimately, amount to little more than wasted effort [5], [6], [7]. This layered application reveals a longstanding literary tradition where "inutile" succinctly captures themes of vanity, excess, and inherent lack, thus inviting readers to reflect on the essential purpose and value of both artistic expression and human endeavor [8], [9].
- “Olim truncus eram ficulnus, inutile lignum, Cum faber, incertus scamnum faceretne Priapum, Maluit esse Deum.”
— from History of European Morals From Augustus to Charlemagne (Vol. 1 of 2) by William Edward Hartpole Lecky - “ Inutile è la naue, che in mar vaga Senza prender giamai l’amato porto: Impiagato d’Amor quel cor’ è à torto, Che con vano sperar mai non s’appaga. ”
— from Shakespeare and the Emblem Writers an exposition of their similarities of throught and expression, preceded by a view of emblem-literature down to A.D. 1616 by Henry Green - 32 Potest enim accidere promissum aliquod et conventum, ut id effici sit inutile vel ei, cui promissum sit, vel ei, qui promiserit.
— from De Officiis by Marcus Tullius Cicero - Scite enim istud et dicitur et dicetur, Id quod utile sit honestum esse, quod autem inutile sit turpe esse.
— from An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals by David Hume - Il faut encore comprendre qu'en art tout ce qui n'est pas nécessaire est inutile; et tout ce qui est inutile est mauvais."
— from InstigationsTogether with An Essay on the Chinese Written Character by Ezra Pound - And "Wearing of the Green:" 48 With futile toots, and brutal toots, And shrill chromatic scales, And utterly inutile toots, And agonizing wails.
— from Mother Goose for Grown-ups by Guy Wetmore Carryl - "Tout ce que j'avais fait jusque-là était devenu inutile
— from My Memoirs, Vol. IV, 1830 to 1831 by Alexandre Dumas - There is a lot of inutile talk about "significant form" by propagandists of the New Æsthetic.
— from Unicorns by James Huneker - So I consulted a contemporary French authority, Jean-François Revel who mentions Taine works in his book, "La Connaissance Inutile."
— from The Ancient Regime by Hippolyte Taine
