Efficiency of a practically flawless kind may be reached naturally in the struggle for bread. But there is something beyond - a higher point, a subtle and unmistakable touch of love and pride beyond mere skill; almost an inspiration which gives to all work that finish which is almost art - which is art.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Great work comes from skill combined with pride and love, making it more than just efficient.
- In plain terms
- Good work needs skill and pride to be truly excellent.
- What can you take from it?
- Add heart and pride to your skill.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When does your work feel like art?
- What separates good work from great work?
Another view
It ignores that not all work allows for artistic expression.
More from Joseph Conrad
History repeats itself, but the special call of an art which has passed away is never reproduced. It is as utterly gone out of the world as the song of a destr…
Permalink to quote #43 The truth was that he died from solitude, the enemy known but to few on this Earth, and whom only the simplest of us are fit to withstand. The brilliant Costag…
Permalink to quote #41 An artist is a man of action, whether he creates a personality, invents an expedient, or finds the issue of a complicated situation.
Permalink to quote #44
Related quotes
Let Each Man Exercise The Art He Knows.
AristophanesAristophanes quote #3 I was never the kind of painter or sculptor who kept a shop.
Michelangelo BuonarrotiMichelangelo Buonarroti quote #4 There is one art, no more, no less: to do all things with art- lessness.
Piet HeinPiet Hein quote #4