All one's inventions are true, you can be sure of that. Poetry is as exact a science as geometry

All one's inventions are true, you can be sure of that. Poetry is as exact a science as geometry

Gustave Flaubert, the renowned French novelist, is often quoted as saying, “All one's inventions are true, you can be sure of that. Poetry is as exact a science as geometry.” This statement reflects Flaubert’s belief in the power and truth of artistic creation, particularly in the realm of poetry.

Flaubert was a meticulous and precise writer, known for his attention to detail and dedication to his craft. He believed that the act of creation, whether in writing or any other form of art, was a process of uncovering truths and realities that were already present in the world. In this sense, Flaubert saw art as a means of revealing the inherent beauty and complexity of existence, rather than simply inventing new worlds or ideas.

For Flaubert, poetry was not just a form of self-expression or entertainment, but a rigorous and disciplined practice that required the same level of precision and accuracy as geometry. Just as a mathematician must follow strict rules and principles to arrive at a correct solution, so too must a poet adhere to the rules of language and form to create a work of art that is both beautiful and true.