Be warned against all 'good' advice because 'good' advice is necessarily 'safe' advice, and though it will undoubtedly follow a sane pattern, it will very likely lead one into total sterility--one of the crushing problems of our time.
Interpretation
Caution is advised when following conventional 'good' advice, as it may stifle creativity and lead to unoriginality.
Jules Feiffer emphasizes the danger in blindly adhering to well-meaning advice that is deemed 'good' or 'safe.' While such advice may seem rational and sensible, it often constrains innovative thinking and can result in a lack of creativity, ultimately contributing to a sterile and uninspired existence. The quote serves as a reminder to challenge norms and seek out more unconventional paths that encourage growth and originality.
In practice
During a workshop on creativity, I would use this quote to emphasize the importance of thinking outside the box.
At sixteen I was stupid, confused and indecisive. At twenty-five I was wise, self-confident, prepossessing and assertive. At forty-five I am stupid, confused, insecure and indecisive. Who would have supposed that maturity is only a short break in adolescence?
Action is the process whereby what is not fully formed passes into expressive consciousness.
There is wisdom in turning as often as possible from the familiar to the unfamiliar: it keeps the mind nimble, it kills prejudice, and it fosters humor.
People who are not enjoying their lives in the present have lust for life in the future. Lust for life is always in the future. It is a postponement. They are saying, 'We cannot enjoy today so we will enjoy tomorrow.' They are saying, 'Right this moment we cannot celebrate, so let there be a tomorrow so that we can celebrate.'
You do not become good by trying to be good, but by finding the goodness that is already within you, and allowing that goodness to emerge. But it can only emerge if something fundamental changes in your state of consciousness.
Intelligence is the ability to avoid doing work, yet getting the work done.
Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.