There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music.
T. S. EliotRead
Anxiety is the hand maiden of creativity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Anxiety can often drive and enhance creative expression.
This quote suggests that feelings of anxiety are not just burdens; they can also inspire creativity. T. S. Eliot implies that the struggles and tensions of anxiety may lead individuals to produce their most imaginative and innovative work, turning discomfort into artistic expression.
Themes
AnxietyCreativityArtExpressionInspiration
In practice
Example use cases
In a talk about overcoming creative blocks, quoting Eliot to highlight how anxiety can fuel artistic inspiration.
More from T. S. Eliot
All quotes βHalf 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.
T. S. EliotRead
I am an Anglo-Catholic in religion, a classicist in literature and a royalist in politics.
T. S. EliotRead
If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?
T. S. EliotRead
For I have known them all already, known them allβ Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons, I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.
T. S. EliotRead
In the faint moonlight, the grass is singing
T. S. EliotRead
Similar quotes
To realize our true creative potential - in our organizations, in our schools and in our communities - we need to think differently about ourselves and towards each other. We must learn to be creative.
Ken RobinsonRead
I have a lot of confidence, but little Self-Esteem. This has given me a tremendous creative spark because it forced me to keep proving myself.
Neil DiamondRead
Getting the first draft finished is like pushing a peanut with your nose across a very dirty floor.
Joyce Carol OatesRead
It often feels like a tremendous amount of work is required to get an idea moving forward, like pushing a train uphill. But at a certain point, the thing takes on its own momentum, and takes unexpected turns. So it's that feeling of holding on, rather than pushing it, that is the most exciting thing. It's that need to occasionally bounce off the walls, letting anything happen for any reason, and having nothing to guide you that is the joy.
Danny ElfmanRead
Creativity has more to do with the elimination of the inessential than with inventing something new.
Helmut JahnRead
Finding the medium that excites your imagination, that you love to play with and work in, is an important step to freeing your creative energies.
Ken RobinsonRead