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About this quote

What does it mean?
Artists and political activists should collaborate more, ensuring that thought and action work together for positive change.
In plain terms
Art and politics need to work together, not apart.
What can you take from it?
Combine reflection and action for meaningful impact.

Where it applies

  • advocacy work
  • artistic practice
  • social reform

Putting it to work

  • align art with values
  • engage in civic action
  • bridge theory and practice

Questions to consider

  • Should art serve a political purpose?
  • How do you balance thought and action?

Another view

It assumes art and politics should always align, which can limit creative freedom.

More from William Saroyan

  1. The weakness of art is that great poems do not ennoble politics, as they certainly should, and the trouble with politics is that they inspire poets only to moc…

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  2. Wars, for us, are either inevitable, or created. Whatever they are, they should not wholly vitiate art. What art needs is greater men, and what politics needs …

    Permalink to quote #97
  3. Art can no longer afford to be contemptuous of politics, and it appears to be time politics took a little instruction from art.

    Permalink to quote #94

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