Yes, I know that now that there is truth in beauty and…
““Yes, I know that now that there is truth in beauty and beauty in truth. My nature is to be depressive and come out of it and write, and enjoy writing and feeling as if I have a passion and excitement and love and euphoria for it and then I go 'back to sleep again' where I can eat and watch television and not work, not be productive and then just as if a magic switch is turned on I can do it all over again. I don't mind the being depressed part. Sometimes it seems to fuel me. The anger though is gone now that was there in my twenties and even earlier in my youth. Your voice is Tolstoy’s, Hemingway’s, Updike’s, Styron’s, Mcewan’s, Greene’s, Fugard’s, Kundera’s, Rilke’s while I am the incarnate of Radcliffe Hall crossing both genders effortlessly. You betray nothing. There is son in the picture. A small boy but you don’t introduce him to me. Obsessions are unhealthy creatures. They make you mentally ill, emotionally unstable; leave you with a chemistry of deep sadness in your life. I have my writing. It keeps me from disintegrating into fractions. I should stop now before I begin to make myself cry.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author describes a cycle of depression fueling creative work, alternating between intense passion and periods of withdrawal, acknowledging both the pain and the productivity it can generate.
In simple terms: Depression can drive creativity, but also leads to withdrawal and low productivity
Key Takeaway
Channel emotional intensity into creative output, recognize cycles
Themes
mental health
creativity
productivity
passion
Mood
introspective
conflicted
Type
personal essay
reflective
When to use this quote
- writing sessions
- therapy
- self‑care routines
Key Concepts
psychology
artistic expression
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you sustain creativity without harming mental health?
- What boundaries help balance passion and rest?
A Different Perspective
Creative bursts may be unsustainable without support