The artist may be well advised to keep his work to himself till it is completed, because no one can readily help him or advise him with it...but the scientist is wiser not to withhold a single finding or a single conjecture from publicity.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Artists may keep work private until finished, but scientists should share every finding openly.
- In plain terms
- Artists hide drafts; scientists share openly.
- What can you take from it?
- Tailor openness to the discipline’s needs.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When should an artist reveal work early?
- Does secrecy hinder scientific progress?
Another view
Both fields can benefit from early feedback.
More from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Ich die Baukunst eine erstarrte Musik nenne.
Permalink to quote #23 Willst du immer weiterschweifen? Sieh, das Gute liegt so nah. Lerne nur das Gluck ergreifen, denn das Gluck ist immer da.
Permalink to quote #25 If I work incessantly to the last, nature owes me another form of existence when the present one collapses.
Permalink to quote #22
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