Refined Past the Limit

“One of the great problems with developed sensibilities in any area is the temptation to preciosity. Overrefinement in art, music, language, or any area does not create the true artiste but rather the insufferable boor. The task is not to cultivate high standards; any lout can do that. The trick is to cultivate high standards without turning into the person that every normal person in the world wants to avoid” (Writers to Read, p. 117).