I consciously choose the dog's path through life. I shall be poor; I … — Vincent Willem Van Gogh Quote #38

About this quote

What does it mean?: The speaker deliberately chooses a difficult, poor path to become a painter.
In plain terms: I choose to be poor and be a painter.
What can you take from it?: Choosing art may mean choosing poverty.

The choice implies art requires poverty, which is not always true.

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I do not intend to spare myself, not to avoid emotions or difficulties. I don't care much whether I live a longer or shorter time: the world concerns me only i…
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