He had violent passions, and on occasion desire seized his…
““He had violent passions, and on occasion desire seized his body so that he was driven to an orgy of lust, but he hated the instincts that robbed him of his self-possession. I think, even, he hated the inevitable partner in his debauchery. When he had regained command over himself, he shuddered at the sight of the woman he had enjoyed. His thoughts floated then serenely in the empyrean, and he felt towards her the horror that perhaps the painted butterfly, hovering about the flowers, feels to the filthy chrysalis from which it has triumphantly emerged. I suppose that art is a manifestation of the sexual instinct. It is the same emotion which is excited in the human heart by the sight of a lovely woman, the Bay of Naples under the yellow moon, and the Entombment of Titian. It is possible that Strickland hated the normal release of sex because it seemed to him brutal by comparison with the satisfaction of artistic creation.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Artistic creation can dominate over base instincts, making physical desire seem crude.
In simple terms: Art can feel more profound than sex.
Key Takeaway
Value creative fulfillment over mere pleasure.
Themes
art
desire
selfcontrol
philosophy
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- artist's block
- creative projects
- relationship dynamics
- selfreflection
Key Concepts
aestheticism
psychology
dualism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prioritize creative work over physical intimacy?
- Can art and desire coexist without conflict?
A Different Perspective
Not everyone experiences art as a higher calling; some find physical intimacy equally fulfilling.