Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.
George SandRead
Art for art's sake is an empty phrase. Art for the sake of truth, art for the sake of the good and the beautiful, that is the faith I am searching for.
Interpretation
Art must serve a purpose beyond itself, aimed at truth, goodness, and beauty.
In this quote, George Sand emphasizes that art should not exist in isolation or be created merely for its own sake. Instead, it should embody deeper values and truths, contributing to the good and beautiful aspects of life. This perspective highlights the importance of meaning and intent behind artistic endeavors, suggesting that art should inspire and promote a higher understanding of the human experience.
In practice
This quote could be used in an art class to discuss the purpose of artistic creation.
Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.
Humanity is outraged in me and with me. We must not dissimulate nor try to forget this indignation, which is one of the most passionate forms of love.
Young love needs dangers and barriers to nourish it.
Once my heart was captured, reason was shown the door, deliberately and with a sort of frantic joy. I accepted everything, I believed everything, without struggle, without suffering, without regret, without false shame. How can one blush for what one adores?
Some say that cats are devils, but they behave badly only when they are alone. When they are among us cats are angels.
One is happy as a result of one's own efforts, once one knows of the necessary ingredients of happiness-simple tastes, a certain degree of courage, self-denial to a point, love of work, and, above all, a clear conscience. Happiness is no vague dream, of that I now feel certain.
The artist is of no importance. Only what he creates is important, since there is nothing new to be said. Shakespeare, Balzac, Homer have all written about the same things, and if they had lived one thousand or two thousand years longer, the publishers wouldn't have needed anyone since.
A few can touch the magic string, and noisy fame is proud to win them: Alas for those that never sing, but die with all their music in them!
I am interested in art as a means of living a life; not as a means of making a living.
From the point of view of art, the butcher and the victim are equal as people. You need to see the people.
Tall ships and tall kings Three times three, What brought they from the foundered land Over the flowing sea? Seven stars and seven stones And one white tree. (The Two Towers)
Magic has universal appeal. I don't believe in magic in the way that I describe in my books, but I'd love it to be real.
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