--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think I can define my entire life…" description: "\"I think I can define my entire life, virtuosity and business philosophy down to the core fundamental that I absolutely hate being told what to do. But ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/560/amanda-palmer-2356_artist_i-think-i-can-define-my-entire-life-virt_296466.png" --- # I think I can define my entire life, virtuosity and… ![“I think I can define my entire life, virtuosity and business philosophy down to the core fundamental that I absolutely hate being told what to do. But like any artist or any human being out there, I desperately want to be loved, and I spend my entire life trying to balance those two facts.” quote by Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/560/amanda-palmer-2356_artist_i-think-i-can-define-my-entire-life-virt_296466.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/560/amanda-palmer-2356_artist_i-think-i-can-define-my-entire-life-virt_296466.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/560/amanda-palmer-2356_artist_i-think-i-can-define-my-entire-life-virt_296466.png) > “I think I can define my entire life, virtuosity and business philosophy down to the core fundamental that I absolutely hate being told what to do. But like any artist or any human being out there, I desperately want to be loved, and I spend my entire life trying to balance those two facts.” [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She describes a conflict between autonomy and desire for love, seeking balance between independence and connection. **In simple terms:** Hate being told what to do, yet crave love. Key Takeaway Find harmony between freedom and belonging. Themes autonomy love artist identity conflict Mood conflicted hopeful introspective Type personal artistic When to use this quote - creative work - personal relationships - career decisions - therapy sessions Key Concepts self-actualization relationship dynamics creative freedom psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you negotiate personal boundaries with loved ones? - What does love mean for your creative process? A Different Perspective May idealize independence, neglecting collaboration. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Entire life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entire-life/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Virtuosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtuosity/) ## Related quotes > [ “The basic philosophy of life seemed to be: What do I care? It's none of my business. \[The philosophy of Naples, Italy.\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franco-di-mare/the-basic-philosophy-of-life-seemed-to-be-what-do-i-care-it-s-none-of/) Franco Di Mare > [The business of philosophy is not to give rules, but to analyze the private judgments of common reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-kant/the-business-of-philosophy-is-not-to-give-rules-but-to-analyze-the/) [Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-kant/) > [“The business of philosophy is to teach man to live in uncertainty... not to reassure him, but to upset him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lev-shestov/the-business-of-philosophy-is-to-teach-man-to-live-in-uncertainty-not/) [Lev Shestov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lev-shestov/) > [Every business is manmade. It is a result of individuals. It reflects the personalities and the business philosophy of the founders and those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-rowe-price-jr/every-business-is-manmade-it-is-a-result-of-individuals-it-reflects/) [Thomas Rowe Price, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-rowe-price-jr/) > [Shamanism is just show business and philosophy is just a branch of that vaudevillian impulse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/shamanism-is-just-show-business-and-philosophy-is-just-a-branch-of/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [The business of philosophy is to circumnavigate human nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-charles-hare/the-business-of-philosophy-is-to-circumnavigate-human-nature/) [Julius Charles Hare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-charles-hare/) > [Nevertheless, the ultimate business of philosophy is to preserve the force of the most elemental words in which Dasein expresses itself, and to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-heidegger/nevertheless-the-ultimate-business-of-philosophy-is-to-preserve-the/) [Martin Heidegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-heidegger/) > [The first business of philosophy is to account for things as they are; and till our theories will do this, they ought not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-malthus/the-first-business-of-philosophy-is-to-account-for-things-as-they-are/) [Thomas Malthus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-malthus/) > [Classical virtuosity is more than technique, line, proportion, and balance. It is as if the performer and spectator come together to hold in their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gelsey-kirkland/classical-virtuosity-is-more-than-technique-line-proportion-and/) [Gelsey Kirkland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gelsey-kirkland/) > [There is virtue in virtuosity, especially today, when it protects us from the tedious spectacle of ineptitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-hughes/there-is-virtue-in-virtuosity-especially-today-when-it-protects-us/) [Robert Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-hughes/) > [To will nothing, then, is ..looking ..for that infinite virtuosity that always enters into the game and always runs off](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-blondel/to-will-nothing-then-is-looking-for-that-infinite-virtuosity-that/) [Maurice Blondel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-blondel/) > [As far as technique and virtuosity are concerned, I think I am better than Bilozerchev.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-ning/as-far-as-technique-and-virtuosity-are-concerned-i-think-i-am-better/) [Li Ning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-ning/) > [I do feel pretty lucky that I'm not so great at playing and singing, it forces me to make sure I've really got something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-lewis/i-do-feel-pretty-lucky-that-i-m-not-so-great-at-playing-and-singing/) [Jeffrey Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-lewis/) > [“Concerto soloists need applause. Though virtue is said to be its own reward, no one ever said that about virtuosity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-kerman/concerto-soloists-need-applause-though-virtue-is-said-to-be-its-own/) Joseph Kerman > [“Bend the rules only if you have learned them; break the rules only if you have mastered them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/bend-the-rules-only-if-you-have-learned-them-break-the-rules-only-if/) [Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/) ## More by Amanda Palmer > [What I have found is, so much of that is like a Chinese finger trap: the more you play to the dark, the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/what-i-have-found-is-so-much-of-that-is-like-a-chinese-finger-trap/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [“i am not afraid. fuck safety. i rock on purpose ALL THE TIME”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/i-am-not-afraid-fuck-safety-i-rock-on-purpose-all-the-time/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [In some way, my fundamental feeling about music is that it's impossible to put a price tag on it. Human beings made music before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/in-some-way-my-fundamental-feeling-about-music-is-that-it-s/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [Our nature is to desperately want to believe and to take what we believe is the quickest path there even against our better judgment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/our-nature-is-to-desperately-want-to-believe-and-to-take-what-we/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [I have never in my career embarked on a journey towards controversy. I have never deliberately set a flame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/i-have-never-in-my-career-embarked-on-a-journey-towards-controversy-i/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [I think the Internet really sussed things into perspective. Because twelve years ago, I could spend my days on writing and running my band…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/i-think-the-internet-really-sussed-things-into-perspective-because/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [When you trust people to help you, they often do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/when-you-trust-people-to-help-you-they-often-do/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [Life as it should be: all friends, all art, all music, all love, all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/life-as-it-should-be-all-friends-all-art-all-music-all-love-all-the/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [There's a part of me that is really, really happy with all of my success lately because of what it can get me and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/there-s-a-part-of-me-that-is-really-really-happy-with-all-of-my/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [I'd actually say that every musician is a human being, and that not everybody likes being social. But with music, there are all these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/i-d-actually-say-that-every-musician-is-a-human-being-and-that-not/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [The perfect tools aren't going to help us if we can't face each other and give and receive fearlessly, but more important, to ask…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/the-perfect-tools-aren-t-going-to-help-us-if-we-can-t-face-each-other/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [I had a real come-to-Jesus a couple of years ago when I started to see the direct line between feminism and everything else -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/i-had-a-real-come-to-jesus-a-couple-of-years-ago-when-i-started-to/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [Take on the pain and wear it as a shirt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/take-on-the-pain-and-wear-it-as-a-shirt/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [I've always been a creative workaholic. I have never had a period of my life where I didn't have at least half a dozen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/i-ve-always-been-a-creative-workaholic-i-have-never-had-a-period-of/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [Twitter fascinates me because it's real. It feels kind of unreal, but it makes very real things happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/twitter-fascinates-me-because-it-s-real-it-feels-kind-of-unreal-but/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) [Explore all 159 Amanda Palmer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) ## More Artist quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [“People in coats and ties were milling around the Talley gallery, and on the wall were the minimally rendered still lifes by Giorgio Morandi,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/people-in-coats-and-ties-were-milling-around-the-talley-gallery-and/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [From as long as I can remember, I was always fond of drawing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-lucia/from-as-long-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-fond-of-drawing/) [St. Lucia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-lucia/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [Designers shouldn’t design for museums any more than mummies should die for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-caplan/designers-shouldn-t-design-for-museums-any-more-than-mummies-should/) [Ralph Caplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-caplan/) > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [I am not the avant-garde. I am the artist who comes after the advancing guard. I am more concerned with continuity of ideas and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-oliveira/i-am-not-the-avant-garde-i-am-the-artist-who-comes-after-the/) [Nathan Oliveira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-oliveira/) > [I am a horrible visual artist. I can't fix a car, sew, knit, cook, etc. Statistically, there is more I don't do than do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-brownstein/i-am-a-horrible-visual-artist-i-can-t-fix-a-car-sew-knit-cook-etc/) [Carrie Brownstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-brownstein/) [Browse all 32,600 Artist quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think I can define my entire life, virtuosity and business philosophy down to the core fundamental that I absolutely hate being told what to do. 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