Food, one assumes, provides nourishment; but Americans eat it fully aware that small amounts of poison have been added to improve its appearance and delay its putrefaction.
John CageRead
Whether I make them or not, there are always sounds to be heard and all of them are excellent.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the idea that all sounds, regardless of their source, can hold value and beauty.
John Cage's quote highlights the concept that every sound, intentional or unintentional, contributes to the auditory landscape and has its unique significance. It reflects his belief in the artistic potential of noise and ambient sound, which can enrich our experience of the world.
Themes
SoundArtAppreciationBeautyNoise
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of listening in music, you could use this quote to illustrate that every sound has value.
More from John Cage
All quotes →Which is more musical: a truck passing by a factory or a truck passing by a music school?
John CageRead
There was a German philosopher who is very well known, his name was Immanuel Kant, and he said there are two things that don’t have to mean anything, one is music and the other is laughter. Don’t have to mean anything that is, in order to give us deep pleasure.
John CageRead
I remember loving sound before I ever took a music lesson. And so we make our lives by what we love.
John CageRead
I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones.
John CageRead
People who aren't artists often feel that artists are inspired. But if you work at your art you don't have time to be inspired.
John CageRead
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