Meaning: The quote by Jacques Maritain, a French philosopher, delves into the relationship between a poet, the self, and the external world. Maritain suggests that a poet truly understands and discovers themselves when they are deeply attuned to the resonance of the world around them, and when both the poet and the external world awaken together, emerging from a state of slumber.

Maritain's quote can be interpreted in various ways, but at its core, it speaks to the idea that a poet's self-awareness and creative expression are intimately tied to their receptiveness to the world. The poet, as the quote suggests, "knows himself only on the condition that things resound in him." This notion underscores the interconnectedness between the poet's inner world and the external environment. It implies that the poet's self-awareness is not a solitary, introspective process, but rather one that is shaped and enriched by the stimuli of the surrounding world.

The idea that the poet's self-awareness is contingent upon the resonance of things around them suggests a deep sensitivity and receptivity to the external world. This receptivity allows the poet to absorb the nuances, emotions, and experiences present in the world, which in turn become intertwined with the poet's own self-discovery and expression. The poet becomes a vessel through which the world's echoes and reverberations find voice and form.

Furthermore, Maritain's statement emphasizes the profound connection between the poet and the world, suggesting that they both "come forth together out of sleep." This image evokes a sense of mutual awakening, where the poet and the external world rouse each other from a state of dormancy. It implies that the poet's creative awakening is not a solitary event, but rather a symbiotic process in which the poet and the world stir each other into consciousness.

In essence, Maritain's quote underscores the reciprocity between the poet's self-awareness and the world around them. It highlights the poet's role as a receptive and responsive interpreter of the world, whose creative expression is shaped by the resonances of the external environment. The quote invites contemplation on the interconnectedness of the self and the world, suggesting that the poet's self-discovery and creative expression are enriched by their attunement to the resounding echoes of existence.

In conclusion, Jacques Maritain's quote encapsulates the profound relationship between the poet, the self, and the external world. It offers a poignant reflection on the poet's receptivity to the resonances of the world and the intertwined nature of self-discovery and creative expression. By emphasizing the mutual awakening of the poet and the external world, the quote invites contemplation on the interconnectedness and symbiosis of the poet's inner world and the world at large.