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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.

Robert Browning#26

GodDivinityArtValueCraftEnvyJudgmentStruggle

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

  • creative work
  • envy
  • judgment

Putting it to work

  • critique
  • practice
  • encouragement

Questions to consider

  • What is true light?

Another view

Subjective value.

More from Robert Browning

  1. 'Tis not what man Does which exalts him, but what man Would do!

    Permalink to quote #25
  2. Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, Or what's a heaven for?

    Permalink to quote #27
  3. 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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