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An artist must be free to choose what he does, certainly, but he must also never be afraid to do what he might choose.
Langston Hughes
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Artists have the freedom to make choices in their work, and they should embrace those choices without fear.

This quote by Langston Hughes emphasizes the dual responsibility of artists: the freedom to select their creative expressions and the courage to follow through on their choices. It suggests that true artistic expression requires not just autonomy but also the bravery to explore one's creative instincts, even if they challenge convention or provoke criticism.

Themes

ArtistFreedomChoiceCourageCreativity

In practice

Example use cases

In a talk about creative processes, you might use this quote to inspire other artists to embrace their unique visions.

More from Langston Hughes

I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go.
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My writing has been largely concerned with the depicting of Negro life in America.
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I tire so of hearing people say, Let things take their course. Tomorrow is another day. I do not need my freedom when I'm dead. I cannot live on tomorrow's bread.
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The calm, Cool face of the river, Asked me for a kiss
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The only way to get a thing done is to start to do it, then keep on doing it, and finally you'll finish it.
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Most musicians remain poor. But the music that they make, even if it does not bring them millions, gives millions of people happiness.
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