The true, prescriptive artist strives after artistic truth; the lawless artist, following blind instinct, after an appearance of naturalness. The one leads to the highest peaks of art, the other to its lowest depths.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The true artist seeks artistic truth; the lawless artist follows blind instinct for a false naturalness. The first reaches the heights of art, the second its depths.
- In plain terms
- Artists who pursue genuine truth create great work; those who chase mere appearance fall low.
- What can you take from it?
- Prioritize authentic expression over superficial appeal.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you distinguish truth from appearance?
- When has instinct served you well?
Another view
Instinct can also lead to profound insight; the dichotomy is not absolute.
More from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
One of the most striking signs of the decay of art is the intermixing of different genres.
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Permalink to quote #15 The spirits that I summoned up I now can't rid myself of.
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