Art begins when a man, with a purpose of communicating to other people a feeling he once experienced, calls it up again within himself and expresses it by certain external signs.
Leo TolstoyRead
By words one transmits thoughts to another, by means of art, one transmits feelings.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Art communicates emotions more profoundly than words can convey thoughts.
This quote by Leo Tolstoy highlights the distinction between verbal communication and artistic expression. Words can articulate thoughts and ideas, but art evokes deeper emotional responses, enabling a more intimate connection between the creator and the audience. Through different forms of art, one can share experiences and feelings that often go beyond the limitations of language.
Themes
ArtCommunicationEmotionsFeelingsExpression
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about creativity during a conference, one might say: 'As Tolstoy once said, by means of art, one transmits feelings, illustrating the power of artistic expression.'
More from Leo Tolstoy
All quotes βPierre looked into the sky, into the depths of the retreating, twinkling stars. "And all this is mine, and all this is in me, and all this is me!" thought Pierre. "And all this they've caught and put in a shed and boarded it up!
Leo TolstoyRead
People try to do all sorts of clever and difficult things to improve life instead of doing the simplest, easiest thing-refusing to participate in activities that make life bad.
Leo TolstoyRead
It's too easy to criticize a man when he's out of favour, and to make him shoulder the blame for everybody else's mistakes.
Leo TolstoyRead
Music is the shorthand of emotion. Emotions, which let themselves be described in words with such difficulty, are directly conveyed to man in music, and in that is its power and significance.
Leo TolstoyRead
A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people to whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them; then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbor β such is my idea of happiness.
Leo TolstoyRead
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Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom.
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I teach my sighs to lengthen into songs.
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