--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Profit and bottom line, the contemporary…" description: "\"Profit and bottom line, the contemporary mantra, eliminates the very source of architectural expression.\" — Arthur Erickson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e1/arthur-erickson-10035_artist_profit-and-bottom-line-the-contemporary_3218145.jpg" --- # Profit and bottom line, the contemporary mantra… ![“Profit and bottom line, the contemporary mantra, eliminates the very source of architectural expression.” quote by Arthur Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e1/arthur-erickson-10035_artist_profit-and-bottom-line-the-contemporary_3218145.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e1/arthur-erickson-10035_artist_profit-and-bottom-line-the-contemporary_3218145.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e1/arthur-erickson-10035_artist_profit-and-bottom-line-the-contemporary_3218145.jpg) > “Profit and bottom line, the contemporary mantra, eliminates the very source of architectural expression.” [Arthur Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-erickson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The modern focus on profit erodes the creative essence of architecture. **In simple terms:** Money‑first mindset kills design expression. Key Takeaway Prioritize artistic integrity over profit. Themes architecture commercialism creativity Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - urban planning - client negotiations - studio culture Key Concepts design philosophy economic pressure Questions to Reflect On - Can architecture thrive without financial constraints? - How to balance profit and artistic vision? A Different Perspective Profit motives can fund but also constrain innovation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Bottom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bottom/) [Bottom line](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bottom-line/) [Contemporary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemporary/) [Contemporary Mantra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemporary-mantra-6038907/) [Eliminates Source](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eliminates-source-6038909/) [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Line Contemporary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/line-contemporary-6038908/) [Lines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lines/) [Mantra Eliminates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mantra-eliminates-6038906/) [Profit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profit/) [Profit Line](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profit-line-6038910/) [Source](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/source/) ## Related quotes > [The details are the very source of expression in architecture. But we are caught in a vice between art and the bottom line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-erickson/the-details-are-the-very-source-of-expression-in-architecture-but-we/) [Arthur Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-erickson/) > [Two to 4% of cancers respond to chemotherapy…The bottom line is for a few kinds of cancer chemo is a life extending procedure-Hodgkin's disease,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-w-moss/two-to-4-of-cancers-respond-to-chemotherapy-the-bottom-line-is-for-a/) [Ralph W. Moss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-w-moss/) > [With a reality show, the bottom line is, there's no plot; there's no finale.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-gosselin/with-a-reality-show-the-bottom-line-is-there-s-no-plot-there-s-no/) [Kate Gosselin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-gosselin/) > [If you look at the statistics, I genuinely understand why when we go to a production company or a broadcaster, and they say our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joivan-wade/if-you-look-at-the-statistics-i-genuinely-understand-why-when-we-go/) [Joivan Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joivan-wade/) > [The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-on-attitude-is-that-a-good-one-helps-to-increase-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [One of two things when the guy you're dating isn't really ready to commit. He's an a\*\*hole and he's cheating on you; bottom line…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-catherwood/one-of-two-things-when-the-guy-you-re-dating-isn-t-really-ready-to/) [Michael Catherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-catherwood/) > [Bottom line is, work ethic equals dreams, and I am walking proof that that's a fact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diamond-dallas-page/bottom-line-is-work-ethic-equals-dreams-and-i-am-walking-proof-that/) [Diamond Dallas Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diamond-dallas-page/) > [I'm very grateful to be where I'm at and be able to play. That's really the bottom line for me. Survival and being able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-bozzio/i-m-very-grateful-to-be-where-i-m-at-and-be-able-to-play-that-s/) [Terry Bozzio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-bozzio/) > [The political satirist usually votes against their own interests, but the bottom line is that it doesn't really matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lizz-winstead/the-political-satirist-usually-votes-against-their-own-interests-but/) [Lizz Winstead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lizz-winstead/) > [The bottom line, in the professional level, no matter where you go, there's going to be competition. That's what it is. At the end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-tolzien/the-bottom-line-in-the-professional-level-no-matter-where-you-go/) [Scott Tolzien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-tolzien/) > [I would have had a clause in my contract; I would've definitely put some fine print in my contract that said, "If the president…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-budden/i-would-have-had-a-clause-in-my-contract-i-would-ve-definitely-put/) [Joe Budden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-budden/) > [Well, the bottom line is that I'm extremely pleased with 'The Stupids.' I'm pleased that it's coming out, and it should look good. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-landis/well-the-bottom-line-is-that-i-m-extremely-pleased-with-the-stupids-i/) [John Landis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-landis/) > [I plead with my Moonlight fans to give this show a chance if they let me give it a chance. I can’t do Moonlight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-o-loughlin/i-plead-with-my-moonlight-fans-to-give-this-show-a-chance-if-they-let/) [Alex O'Loughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-o-loughlin/) > [Cheer up. You're not going to be single forever. Bottom line is, you're young. Don't base your future on your past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/cheer-up-you-re-not-going-to-be-single-forever-bottom-line-is-you-re/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Filmmaking, like sex, isn't a polite enterprise. It involves a lot of mess and the bottom line is, if somebody ain't screaming, you're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-woods/filmmaking-like-sex-isn-t-a-polite-enterprise-it-involves-a-lot-of/) [James Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-woods/) ## More by Arthur Erickson > [Does an architecture to assuage the spirit have a place in all this? Unfortunately we are no longer the interpreters of our culture's myths…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-erickson/does-an-architecture-to-assuage-the-spirit-have-a-place-in-all-this/) [Arthur Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-erickson/) > [The Achilles Heel of the Americas was the lack of cultural confidence typical of new settlers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-erickson/the-achilles-heel-of-the-americas-was-the-lack-of-cultural-confidence/) [Arthur Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-erickson/) > [After 1980, you never heard reference to space again. Surface, the most convincing evidence of the descent into materialism, became the focus of design.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-erickson/after-1980-you-never-heard-reference-to-space-again-surface-the-most/) [Arthur Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-erickson/) > [Inspiration in Science may have to do with ideas, but not in Art. In art it is in the senses that are instinctively responsive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-erickson/inspiration-in-science-may-have-to-do-with-ideas-but-not-in-art-in/) [Arthur Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-erickson/) > [Tahiti has been spoiled for many years, but Bali is one of the few cultures with origins in one of the great ancient cultures…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-erickson/tahiti-has-been-spoiled-for-many-years-but-bali-is-one-of-the-few/) [Arthur Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-erickson/) > [Today's developer is a poor substitute for the committed entrepreneur of the last century for whom the work of architecture represented a chance to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-erickson/today-s-developer-is-a-poor-substitute-for-the-committed-entrepreneur/) [Arthur Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-erickson/) > [Nearly all of the advances in structural and aesthetic innovation is coming from abroad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-erickson/nearly-all-of-the-advances-in-structural-and-aesthetic-innovation-is/) [Arthur Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-erickson/) > [No amount of thought can ever reveal what comes unexpectedly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-erickson/no-amount-of-thought-can-ever-reveal-what-comes-unexpectedly/) [Arthur Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-erickson/) > [Only when inspired to go beyond consciousness by some extraordinary insight does beauty manifest unexpectedly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-erickson/only-when-inspired-to-go-beyond-consciousness-by-some-extraordinary/) [Arthur Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-erickson/) > [The great dream merchant Disney was a success because make-believe was what everyone seemed to need in a spiritually empty land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-erickson/the-great-dream-merchant-disney-was-a-success-because-make-believe/) [Arthur Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-erickson/) > [This great, though disastrous, culture can only change as we begin to stand off and see... the inveterate materialism which has become the model…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-erickson/this-great-though-disastrous-culture-can-only-change-as-we-begin-to/) [Arthur Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-erickson/) > [Does an architecture to assuage the spirit have a place?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-erickson/does-an-architecture-to-assuage-the-spirit-have-a-place/) [Arthur Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-erickson/) > [Ancient Rome was as confident of the immutability of its world and the continual expansion and improvement of the human lot as we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-erickson/ancient-rome-was-as-confident-of-the-immutability-of-its-world-and/) [Arthur Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-erickson/) > [The tourist transports his own values and demands to his destinations and implants them like an infectious disease, decimating whatever values existed before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-erickson/the-tourist-transports-his-own-values-and-demands-to-his-destinations/) [Arthur Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-erickson/) > [The Renaissance is studded by the names of the artists and architects, with their creations recorded as great historical events.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-erickson/the-renaissance-is-studded-by-the-names-of-the-artists-and-architects/) [Arthur Erickson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-erickson/) [Explore all 68 Arthur Erickson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-erickson/) ## 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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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": "Profit and bottom line, the contemporary mantra, eliminates the very source of architectural expression.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Arthur Erickson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-erickson/profit-and-bottom-line-the-contemporary-mantra-eliminates-the-very/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Artist" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-erickson/profit-and-bottom-line-the-contemporary-mantra-eliminates-the-very/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e1/arthur-erickson-10035_artist_profit-and-bottom-line-the-contemporary_3218145.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e1/arthur-erickson-10035_artist_profit-and-bottom-line-the-contemporary_3218145.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e1/arthur-erickson-10035_artist_profit-and-bottom-line-the-contemporary_3218145.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Profit and bottom line, the contemporary mantra, eliminates the very source of architectural expression.” — Arthur Erickson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Arthur Erickson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-erickson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Profit and bottom line, the contemporary...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-erickson/profit-and-bottom-line-the-contemporary-mantra-eliminates-the-very/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-erickson/profit-and-bottom-line-the-contemporary-mantra-eliminates-the-very/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```