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It’s a curious thing. I suppose most people think of…

“It’s a curious thing. I suppose most people think of artists as impatient but I don’t know of any first-rate artist who hasn’t manifested in his career an appalling patience, a willingness to wait and to do his best now in the expectation that next year he will do better.” quote by Mark Van Doren
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“It’s a curious thing. I suppose most people think of artists as impatient but I don’t know of any first-rate artist who hasn’t manifested in his career an appalling patience, a willingness to wait and to do his best now in the expectation that next year he will do better.”

Mark Van Doren

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Great artists must combine patience with effort, working now while trusting future improvement, rather than seeking immediate perfection.

In simple terms: Artists need patience and effort now for future growth.

Key Takeaway

Practice now, trust future.

Themes

art patience growth effort expectation creativity

Mood

inspirational reflective optimistic

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

  • creative projects
  • skill development
  • long‑term goals

Key Concepts

Aesthetic philosophy delayed gratification

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance present effort with future hope?
  • What habits sustain artistic patience?
A Different Perspective

Patience alone isn’t enough without consistent work.

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