As two major creative conceptions in Chinese and western aesthetics, the theory of Thought and the theory of Inspiration, represented by Liu Xie and Plato respectively, have many similarities and differences. For similarities, these two theories are both involved with mysticism, and both emphasize the significance of the author’s emotions. Whereas the differences are mainly derived from their cognitions on the origins of literary creations and conceptions, the author’s state before and during the writing process, etc. By comparing these two theories, it also illustrates the similarities and differences between western and Chinese aesthetics.