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About this quote

What does it mean?
Saroyan admits to loving theater so much that he would go hungry rather than spend money on food.
In plain terms
He loved theater so much he chose it over food.
What can you take from it?
Passion can outweigh basic needs.

Where it applies

  • artist struggles
  • budgeting for art
  • discussing passion

Putting it to work

  • invest in passions
  • recognize sacrifices

Questions to consider

  • What do you sacrifice for art?
  • How far would you go for passion?

Another view

It romanticizes poverty rather than addressing systemic issues.

More from William Saroyan

  1. The streets made me, and the streets stink, but I love them, for I was born in them out of flesh and I was born in them out of spirit.

    Permalink to quote #134
  2. The world was my home and I was glad to be in it.

    Permalink to quote #136
  3. A man cannot write a poem or a story that will transform the whole nature of man, his reality and his truth, making them greater and nobler.

    Permalink to quote #133

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