Life never presents us with anything which may not be looked upon as a fresh starting point, no less than as a termination.
Andre GideRead
Do not do what someone else could do as well as you. Do not say, do not write what someone else could say, could write as well as you. Care for nothing in yourself but what you feel exists nowhere else. And, out of yourself create, impatiently or patiently, the most irreplaceable of beings.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Be unique and expressive in your creations, focusing on what makes you distinct.
This quote by Andre Gide emphasizes the importance of individuality and authenticity in creative endeavors. It encourages one to abandon imitation and instead cultivate a personal voice and unique contributions to the world, ultimately creating something that is irreplaceable and genuinely reflects one’s inner self.
Themes
CreativityIndividualityAuthenticityExpressionUniqueness
In practice
Example use cases
In a creative writing workshop to inspire participants to find their original voice.
More from Andre Gide
All quotes →Old hands soil, it seems, whatever they caress, but they too have their beauty when they are joined in prayer. Young hands were made for caresses and the sheathing of love. It is a pity to make them join too soon.
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Through fear of resembling one another, through horror of having to submit, through uncertainty as well, through skepticism and complexity, there is a multitude of individual little beliefs for the triumph of strange little individuals.
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It is the special quality of love not to be able to remain stationary, to be obliged to increase under pain of diminishing.
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It is with noble sentiments that bad literature gets written.
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I intend to bring you strength, joy, courage, perspicacity, defiance.
Andre GideRead
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