I do what many dream of, all their lives, --Dream? strive to do, and agonize to do, And fail in doing. I could count twenty such On twice your fingers, and not leave this town, Who strive--you don't know how the others strive To paint a little thing like that you smeared Carelessly passing with your robes afloat-- Yet do much less, so much less, Someone says, (I know his name, no matter)--so much less! Well, less is more, Lucrezia: I am judged. There burns a truer light of God in them, In their vexed beating stuffed and stopped-up brain, Heart, or whate'er else, than goes on to prompt This low-pulsed forthright craftsman's hand of mine.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Striving versus craftsmanship; lesser artists may burn brighter.
- In plain terms
- Those striving to paint little things hold God's truer light.
- What can you take from it?
- Effort matters more than result.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What is true light?
Another view
Subjective value.
More from Robert Browning
'Tis not what man Does which exalts him, but what man Would do!
Permalink to quote #25 Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, Or what's a heaven for?
Permalink to quote #27 How good is man's life, the mere living! How fit to employ All the heart and the soul and the senses Forever in joy!
Permalink to quote #24
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