Who said “No theory is good unless it permits, not rest, but the greatest work. No theory is good…”?

Verified

Andre Gide. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceDetached Pages, entry for 1913

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

“No theory is good unless it permits, not rest, but the greatest work. No theory is good except on condition that one use it to go on beyond.”
VerifiedDetached Pages, entry for 1913 · evidenceTheory
Report

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Detached Pages, entry for 1913.

APA

Gide, A. (n.d.). No theory is good unless it permits, not rest, but the greatest work. No theory is good except on condition that one use it to go on beyond. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/39586-no-theory-is-good-unless-it-permits-not/

MLA

Gide, Andre. “No theory is good unless it permits, not rest, but the greatest work. No theory is good except on condition that one use it to go on beyond.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/39586-no-theory-is-good-unless-it-permits-not/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Gide, Andre. “No theory is good unless it permits, not rest, but the greatest work. No theory is good except on condition that one use it to go on beyond.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/39586-no-theory-is-good-unless-it-permits-not/.