Art Quote by Anonymous
““all true art is in fact nothing but an attempt to transmit the sensation of ecstasy...evil always consists in the transforming of something great into something small...a living cell contains something that is lacking in a dead one...life and thought, are in the domain of the unmeasurable...the very great majority of our ideas are not the products of evolution but the product of the degeneration of ideas...Man is pre-eminently a transitional form...truth includes all in itself...Civilisation never starts by natural growth but only through artificial cultivation...People who think that something can be attained by their own efforts are as blind as those who are utterly ignorant of the possibilities of the new knowledge...Most people can except truth only in the form of a lie.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Unknown, early 20th century philosophical writing
Art seeks to convey ecstatic feeling; greatness is diminished when reduced; life’s essence is unmeasurable; ideas often degenerate; humanity is transitional; truth is all‑encompassing; civilization requires deliberate cultivation; truth is often hidden behind lies.
In simple terms: Art tries to share ecstasy; greatness can be shrunk; life is beyond measurement; ideas can decay; humans are transitional; truth is whole; culture must be cultivated; truth may be disguised.
Recognize the limits of reduction, value intentional cultivation, and seek truth beyond appearances.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- creative work
- educational reform
- personal development
- cultural policy
- critical analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does reducing greatness affect its impact?
- In what ways can we cultivate civilization intentionally?
Even with cultivation, truth can remain elusive and subjective.
