Life is earnest, art is gay.
Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Life is serious and duty-bound while art is playful and free.
- In plain terms
- Reality is serious but art is playful.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize the contrast between the gravity of life and the freedom of art.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is art always a escape from life?
- Can life be as free as art?
Another view
Art can also be serious and life can have playful moments.
More from Friedrich von Schiller
He who has done his best for his own time has lived for all times.
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