Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
People understand eating and art only when they stop viewing them as mere pleasure.
In plain terms
Eat and make art for need and purpose, not just for fun.
What can you take from it?
Seek deeper purpose in art and basic needs beyond pleasure.

Where it applies

  • art criticism
  • lifestyle choices
  • philosophical study

Putting it to work

  • reassess art goals
  • focus on necessity
  • critique consumerism

Questions to consider

  • Why do we prioritize pleasure over purpose?
  • What makes art meaningful beyond beauty?

Another view

Pleasure is often a valid and important component of art and sustenance.

More from Leo Tolstoy

  1. The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity by contributing to the establishment of the kingdom of God, which can only be done by the recognition and profess…

    Permalink to quote #53
  2. In spite the mountains of books written about art, no precise definition of art has been constructed. And the reason for this is that the conception of art has…

    Permalink to quote #55
  3. :armies are necessary, before all things, for the defense of governments from their own oppressed and enslaved subjects.

    Permalink to quote #52

Related quotes

  1. There is the view that poetry should improve your life. I think people confuse it with the Salvation Army.

    John AshberyJohn Ashbery quote #1
  2. Use harms and even destroys beauty. The noblest function of an object is to be contemplated.

    Miguel de UnamunoMiguel de Unamuno quote #3
  3. Le monde est fait pour aboutir a un beau livre.

    Stephane MallarmeStephane Mallarme quote #4