The construction of Europe is an art. It is the art of the possible.
Interpretation
Building Europe requires creativity and practicality, blending ideals with reality.
This quote by Jacques Chirac emphasizes that the process of constructing Europe is not merely a political endeavor, but rather an artistic one that requires creativity, imagination, and an understanding of what is feasible. It highlights the importance of pragmatism and the ability to navigate the complexities of cooperation among diverse nations, making the 'art of the possible' a fundamental aspect of this challenging task.
In practice
During a speech about European unity, one could use this quote to inspire collaboration among nations.
Our house is burning down and we are blind to it. The earth and humankind are in danger and we are all responsible. It is time to open our eyes. Alarms are sounding across all continents. We cannot say we did not know! Climate warming is still reversible. Heavy would be the responsibility of those who refuse to fight it.
The authority and influence of France on the world scene in the 21st century will not depend solely on its modernity and cohesion, nor even on the continuity and professionalism of its foreign policy. France will be heeded if it has a message to convey. Faced with the temptations of laissez-faire, France must stand out as the nation with the imagination and determination to pursue an ambition that combines cogency with generosity.
I want people to hear or watch something I've done and feel that I've given it everything I've got.
By attracting attention to yourself, you distract people from the movie. Ideally, you like a movie to speak for itself. You don't describe a song before you sing it or tell about a painting before you show it. You don't reveal the recipe before you serve the dish. You taste it.
On the stage, the characters express themselves more through words than images. So the arguments of the characters and the tension between characters - words have to be used to express that, and I love that about theater.
Acting is largely about putting on masks, and music is about removing them.
Work is what you do for others, liebchen. Art is what you do for yourself.
Of course, music is an art form, and it's not all that competitive. But we don't ever intend to be the second-best band on a stage at any show.
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