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If you love the good thing vitally, enough to give up for…

“If you love the good thing vitally, enough to give up for it all that one must give up, then you must hate the cheap thing just as hard. I tell you, there is such a thing as creative hate! “A contempt that drives you through fire, makes you risk everything and lose everything, makes you a long…” quote by Willa Cather
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“If you love the good thing vitally, enough to give up for it all that one must give up, then you must hate the cheap thing just as hard. I tell you, there is such a thing as creative hate! “A contempt that drives you through fire, makes you risk everything and lose everything, makes you a long sight better than you ever knew you could be.”

Willa Cather

About This Quote

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

Passionate commitment to what you value forces you to reject mediocrity, turning contempt into a powerful motivator for growth.

In simple terms: Loving deeply means hating cheapness.

Key Takeaway

Embrace strong values, discard the trivial.

Themes

values motivation integrity growth

Mood

determined intense

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

  • career choices
  • artistic pursuits
  • personal relationships
  • ethical decisions

Key Concepts

creative hate contempt risk self‑transformation

Questions to Reflect On

  • What cheap comforts are you tolerating?
  • How can you channel contempt constructively?
A Different Perspective

Such intense disdain can alienate others and cause burnout if unchecked.

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