Thou art a man God is no more Thy own humanity Learn to adore
William BlakeRead
The difference between a bad artist and a good one is: the bad artist seems to copy a great deal; the good one really does.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A good artist draws inspiration from others while a bad artist merely imitates.
This quote by William Blake indicates that the distinction between bad and good artists lies in their approach to creativity. A poor artist typically relies on imitation without understanding the essence of the work they are copying, while a good artist absorbs influences and transforms them into something original, reflecting their unique perspective and deeper comprehension of art.
Themes
ArtImitationCreativityInspirationOriginality
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about artistic techniques, this quote could highlight the importance of originality.
More from William Blake
All quotes →In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.
William BlakeRead
O thou who passest through our valleys in Thy strength, curb thy fierce steeds, allay the heat That flames from their large nostrils! Thou, O Summer, Oft pitchest here thy golden tent, and oft Beneath our oaks hast slept, while we beheld With joy thy ruddy limbs and flourishing hair.
William BlakeRead
Every Night and every Morn Some to Misery are born. Every Morn and every Night Some are born to Sweet Delight, Some are born to Endless Night.
William BlakeRead
As the caterpillar chooses the fairest leaves to lay her eggs on, so the priest lays his curse on the fairest joys.
William BlakeRead
He who would do good to another must do it in minute particulars.
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As artists, we belong to an ancient and holy tribe. We are the carriers of the truth that spirit moves through us all. When we deal with one another, we are dealing not merely with our own human personalities but also with the unseen but ever-present throng of ideas, visions, stories, poems, songs, sculptures, art-as-facts that crowd the temple of consciousness waiting their turn to be born.
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I have to accept my role. I will never kill myself like Vincent Van Gogh. Nor will I paint beautiful water lilies like Monet. I can't do that. I'm in the idiot role of being a kiddie book person.
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