Life is like topography, Hobbes. There are summits of happiness and success, flat stretches of boring routine and valleys of frustration and failure.
Bill WattersonRead
Why does man create? Is it man's purpose on earth to express himself, to bring form to thought, and to discover meaning in experience? Or is it just something to do when he's bored?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote questions the intrinsic motivation behind human creativity and expression.
Bill Watterson's quote reflects on the fundamental reasons why humans engage in creation, suggesting that it may serve a deeper purpose such as self-expression and finding meaning in life, or it could simply be a pastime born out of boredom. It provokes thought about the value of creativity, challenging us to consider whether our creative endeavors are significant or merely a distraction.
Themes
CreationPurposeExpressionArtMeaning
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about creativity at a conference, one might quote Watterson to inspire artists about their inner motivations.
More from Bill Watterson
All quotes →Sometimes when I'm talking, my words can't keep up with my thoughts. I wonder why we think faster than we speak. Probably so we can think twice.
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The secret to enjoying your job is to have a hobby that's even worse
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Shutting off the thought process is not rejuvenating; the mind is like a car battery - it recharges by running.
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Mothers are the necessity of invention.
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Dad: Honey, have you seen my glasses? I can"t find them. Mom: I haven't seen them. Calvin: (with glasses, to Dad) Calvin, go do something you hate! Being miserable builds character!
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