he is but as tinkling brass

Question

"Modem art thus begins, and sometimes ends, as a confession of spiritual poverty. That is its greatness and its triumph, but also the needle it jabs into the Philistine’s sore spot, for the last thing he wants to be reminded of is his spiritual poverty. In fact, his greatest poverty is not to know how impoverished he is, and so long as he mouths the empty ideals or religious phrases of the past he is but as tinkling brass." (Irrational Man, William Barrett)

Please help me to get what the author means by "he is but as tinkling brass."

Thanks

Cadzao

MrPedantic · Accepted Answer

Hello Cad,

This is a reference to 1 Corinthians 13.1, in the New Testament:

1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

Brass instruments and tinkling cymbals here represent empty noise. Similarly, according to Barrett, the "Philistine" in his "spiritual poverty" also produces mere empty noise, in the form of platitudes, etc.

Best wishes,

MrP

Mister Micawber · Answer

King James BIBLE: Corinthians 13:1

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

'Tinkling brass' is mere empty noise.

Mister Micawber · Answer

Ah! Brisk work, MrP-- it must be time for me to shut down for the night.

Cheerio.

Cadzao · Answer

Thank you so much for your very intersting explanation.

Cadzao

he is but as tinkling brass

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