Aristotle -- Poetics [Περὶ ποιητικῆς, De Poetica], ch. 24 / 1461b.11 (c. 335 BC) [tr. Sachs (2006)]

Dave — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:16:37 +0000

With a view to poetry, an impossible thing that is believable is preferable to an unbelievable thing that is possible.

[πρός τε γὰρ τὴν ποίησιν αἱρετώτερον πιθανὸν ἀδύνατον ἢ ἀπίθανον καὶ δυνατόν.]

Aristotle (384-322 BC) Greek philosopher
Poetics [Περὶ ποιητικῆς, De Poetica], ch. 24 / 1461b.11 (c. 335 BC) [tr. Sachs (2006)]
(Source)

Original Greek. Alternate translations:

"The poet should prefer probable impossibilities to improbable possibilities." [tr. Butcher (1895)]
"A likely impossibility is always preferable to an unconvincing possibility." [tr. Bywater (1909)]
"You should prefer a plausible impossibility to an unconvincing possibility." [tr. Margoliouth (1911)]
"For poetic effect a convincing impossibility is preferable to that which is unconvincing though possible." [tr. Fyfe (1932)]
"Probable impossibilities are preferable to implausible possibilities." [tr. Halliwell (1986)]
"In relation to the needs of the composition, a believable impossibility is preferable to an unbelievable possibility." [tr. Janko (1987)]
"With respect to the requirement of art, the probable impossible is always preferable to the improbable possible."
"For the purposes of poetry a convincing impossibility is preferable to an unconvincing possibility."

WIST Quotations

Aristotle -- Poetics [Περὶ ποιητικῆς, De Poetica], ch. 24 / 1461b.11 (c. 335 BC) [tr. Sachs (2006)]