Tonight, tonight, won't be just any night. Tonight there will be no morning star.
Stephen SondheimRead
Work is what you do for others, liebchen. Art is what you do for yourself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the distinction between work done for the benefit of others and art created for personal fulfillment.
Stephen Sondheim emphasizes that work often involves responsibilities and obligations to others, whereas art is a deeply personal expression that serves the artist's own feelings, thoughts, and desires. This distinction prompts individuals to reflect on their motivations and the value of self-expression in their lives.
Themes
ArtWorkSelf-ExpressionCreativityFulfillment
In practice
Example use cases
During an art exhibit, one could quote this to emphasize the personal nature of artistic expression.
More from Stephen Sondheim
All quotes βAfter the Rodgers and Hammerstein revolution, songs became part of the story, as opposed to just entertainments in between comedy scenes.
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Let Pirelli's / Miracle Elixir / Activate your roots, sir... Keep it off your boots, sir- / Eats right through. Yes, get Pirelli's! / Use a bottle of it! / Ladies seem to love it... Flies do, too!
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Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos.
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Careful the spell you cast, not just on children. Sometimes the spell may last Past what you can see And turn against you... Careful the tale you tell. That is the spell.
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