A man cannot be wise enough to be a great artist without being wise enough to wish to be a philosopher. A man cannot have the energy to produce good art without having the energy to wish to pass beyond it. A small artist is content with art; a great artist is content with nothing except everything
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Great artists want to be philosophers and are never fully content. Small artists are satisfied with art alone.
- In plain terms
- Great artists want to be philosophers and are never just satisfied with art.
- What can you take from it?
- Ambition drives great artists to seek meaning beyond their craft.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What drives great art?
- Is dissatisfaction a strength?
Another view
Not all artists need philosophy.
More from Gilbert Keith Chesterton
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