The difference between the Parthenon and the World Trade Center, between a French wine glass and a German beer mug, between Bach and John Philip Sousa, between Sophocles and Shakespeare, between a bicycle and a horse, though explicable by historical moment, necessity, and destiny, is before all a difference of imagination.

In the quote, "The difference between the Parthenon and the World Trade Center, between a French wine glass and a German beer mug, between Bach and John Philip Sousa, between Sophocles and Shakespeare, between a bicycle and a horse, though explicable by historical moment, necessity, and destiny, is before all a difference of imagination," Guy Davenport emphasizes the fundamental role of imagination in shaping cultural, artistic, and technological creations. He acknowledges that many of these differences can be explained by factors like historical moment, necessity, and destiny, but the driving force behind these distinctions is ultimately the creative vision, or imagination, that shapes each creation. Davenport argues that imagination is the core of what makes each of these things unique, regardless of their practical or historical context.

Davenport contrasts iconic cultural and artistic elements such as the ancient Parthenon and the modern World Trade Center, suggesting that while these structures serve different purposes and were born of different historical circumstances, the imagination behind them sets them apart. Similarly, the French wine glass and the German beer mug serve as cultural symbols, shaped by national identity and tradition, yet their forms and functions reflect the distinct creative impulses that define French and German culture, respectively. This extends to Bach and John Philip Sousa, whose music, though both highly influential, represents different musical traditions and expressions shaped by their composers' imagination.

The quote also touches on the contrast between literary figures like Sophocles and Shakespeare, whose works were shaped by different cultural and intellectual environments. Both playwrights were products of their own times, yet their plays reflect divergent uses of imagination—Sophocles' classical tragedies and Shakespeare's more complex, multifaceted storytelling. Similarly, the comparison between a bicycle and a horse underscores how imagination shapes the evolution of technology, where both serve similar functions but emerge from different creative visions.

The origin of this quote reflects Davenport’s deep understanding of imagination as a defining force in shaping human culture and history. As a writer and thinker, Davenport was fascinated by the role of creative thought in shaping the world, particularly how imagination influences everything from architecture and art to technology and literature. His quote highlights that imagination is not only a personal or artistic pursuit but a force that drives cultural and historical development.