There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music.
T. S. EliotRead
The progress of an artist is a continual self-sacrifice, a continual extinction of personality.
Interpretation
What this quote means
An artist must continuously give up parts of themselves to grow and create.
This quote by T. S. Eliot emphasizes the idea that an artist's journey requires a constant process of sacrifice. To create meaningful art, one often has to let go of personal ego and identity, allowing their work to flourish independently of their personality. This self-extinction is not a loss, but rather a transformation that enriches the artist's output and fosters genuine expression.
Themes
ArtSelf-SacrificeCreativityIdentityExpression
In practice
Example use cases
In an art workshop, discussing how personal experiences shape artistic expression.
More from T. S. Eliot
All quotes →Half of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm. But the harm does not interest them.
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I am an Anglo-Catholic in religion, a classicist in literature and a royalist in politics.
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If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?
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For I have known them all already, known them all— Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons, I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.
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In the faint moonlight, the grass is singing
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