A bit of advice, don't copy nature too closely. Art is an abstraction; as you dream amid nature, extrapolate art from it, and concentrate on what you will create as a result.
Paul GauguinRead
Life has no meaning unless one lives it with a will, at least to the limit of one's will. Virtue, good, evil are nothing but words, unless one takes them apart in order to build something with them; they do not win their true meaning until one knows how to apply them.
Interpretation
Life's meaning comes from the will to live and apply virtues thoughtfully.
This quote by Paul Gauguin emphasizes that life acquires significance only when individuals actively engage with it, driven by their will. It suggests that abstract concepts like virtue and morality hold no real value unless one takes the initiative to deconstruct and apply them meaningfully in their own life.
In practice
This quote can be used during a motivational speech about pursuing one's passions.
A bit of advice, don't copy nature too closely. Art is an abstraction; as you dream amid nature, extrapolate art from it, and concentrate on what you will create as a result.
A critic in my house sees some paintings. Greatly perturbed, he asks for my drawings. My drawings? Never! They are my letters, my secrets.
A hint - don't paint too much direct from nature. Art is an abstraction! study nature then brood on it and treasure the creation which will result, which is the only way to ascend towards God - to create like our Divine Master.
The flat sound of my wooden clogs on the cobblestones, deep, hollow and powerful, is the note I seek in my painting.
Art is either plagiarism or revolution.
Art requires philosophy, just as philosophy requires art. Otherwise, what would become of beauty?
People are always angry at America. They're absolutely certain that America either caused their problems or is deliberately not fixing their problems. But the anger is always directed at America and never at Americans.
A philosopher knows that in reality he knows very little. That is why he constantly strives to achieve true insight. Socrates was one of these rare people. He knew that he knew nothing about life and about the world. And now comes the important part: it troubled him that he knew so little.
Their sighing, canting, grace-proud faces, their three-mile prayers, and half-mile graces.
Know that the philosopher has power over the stars, and not the stars over him.
Cruelty towards others is always also cruelty towards ourselves.
Know that this universe is nothing but a dream bluff of nature to test your consciousness of immortality.
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