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About this quote

What does it mean?
Picasso critiques the modern obsession with finding meaning everywhere. He sees this as impractical despite claims of practicality.
In plain terms
People force meaning onto everything which makes them less practical.
What can you take from it?
Avoid forcing meaning where it does not exist to stay practical.

Where it applies

  • philosophical debates
  • daily decision making
  • art criticism

Putting it to work

  • focus on utility
  • accept ambiguity
  • simplify goals

Questions to consider

  • Are you looking for meaning in things that just exist?
  • Does searching for meaning help or hinder you?

Another view

Seeking meaning can provide motivation even if impractical.

More from Pablo Picasso

  1. When we discovered Cubism, we did not have the aim of discovering Cubism. We only wanted to express what was in us.

    Permalink to quote #46
  2. Success is dangerous. One begins to copy oneself, and to copy oneself is more dangerous than to copy others. It leads to sterility.

    Permalink to quote #48
  3. If there is something to steal, I steal it!.

    Permalink to quote #45

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