What a test that is: more than devotion, admiration, passion. If you long and long for someoneβs company you love them.
Iris MurdochRead
Art is the final cunning of the human soul which would rather do anything than face the gods.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Art serves as an expression of humanity's deepest concerns and fears, often acting as a diversion from confronting the divine or existential truths.
This quote by Iris Murdoch suggests that art is a profound and clever manifestation of the human spirit, crafted not just for beauty, but as a means to evade facing uncomfortable truths about existence and the divine. It highlights the complexities of the human condition, where individuals may find solace and meaning in artistic expression rather than confronting the often daunting nature of reality or spirituality.
Themes
ArtSoulExpressionHumanityTruthCreation
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in discussions about the role of art in society during an exhibition.
More from Iris Murdoch
All quotes βThe bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart.
Iris MurdochRead
Man's creative struggle, his search for wisdom and truth, is a love story.
Iris MurdochRead
All art deals with the absurd and aims at the simple. Good art speaks truth, indeed is truth, perhaps the only truth.
Iris MurdochRead
A bad review is even less important than whether it is raining in Patagonia.
Iris MurdochRead
Perhaps when distant people on other planets pick up some wavelength of ours all they hear is a continuous scream.
Iris MurdochRead
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To play the trumpet, you must train your lips for a long time. When I was twelve or thirteen I was a good player, but I lost the skill and now I play very badly. I do it every day even so. The reason is that I want to return to my childhood. For me, the trumpet is evidence of the sort of young man I was.
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I'm the evil mastermind behind the scenes. I'm the wicked puppeteer who pulls the strings and makes you dance. I'm your writer.
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