The history of music is mortal, but the idiocy of the guitar is eternal.
The essence of the quote from Milan Kundera's "The Book of Laughter and Forgetting" reflects a profound observation on the nature of music and instruments. While the history of music may have its beginnings and ends, the persistent folly associated with the guitar is portrayed as a timeless element. This suggests that no matter the changes in musical trends or the evolution of styles, the guitar remains a constant source of both admiration and humor throughout time.
This duality points to the guitar's role in human culture, where it serves as a beloved instrument but also a subject of playful mockery. Kundera highlights how, despite the transient nature of musical history, certain characteristics of the guitar—perhaps its simplicity, accessibility, or the common mistakes associated with it—render it an everlasting symbol of musical folly. Thus, the quote invites readers to reflect on both the grand narratives of music and the more trivial, yet enduring, aspects that accompany artistic expression.
