--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Put light against light - you have…" description: "\"Put light against light - you have nothing. Put dark against dark - you have nothing. It's the contrast of light and dark that each give the other one ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d3/bob-ross-9293_comparison_put-light-against-light-you-have-nothing_3123231.jpg" --- # Put light against light - you have nothing. Put dark… ![“Put light against light - you have nothing. Put dark against dark - you have nothing. It's the contrast of light and dark that each give the other one meaning.” quote by Bob Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d3/bob-ross-9293_comparison_put-light-against-light-you-have-nothing_3123231.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d3/bob-ross-9293_comparison_put-light-against-light-you-have-nothing_3123231.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d3/bob-ross-9293_comparison_put-light-against-light-you-have-nothing_3123231.jpg) > “Put light against light - you have nothing. Put dark against dark - you have nothing. It's the contrast of light and dark that each give the other one meaning.” [Bob Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ross/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Opposite extremes cancel each other, leaving emptiness; meaning arises from contrast between opposites. **In simple terms:** Meaning comes from contrast. Key Takeaway Seek balance, not emptiness. Themes philosophy art duality meaning Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - painting - life decisions - conflict resolution Key Concepts dialectics contrast perception Questions to Reflect On - What opposites give your life meaning? - How can balance be achieved? A Different Perspective Only focusing on extremes can lead to nihilism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comparison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comparison/) [Contrast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrast/) [Contrast Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrast-light-1906656/) [Dark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark/) [Dark Contrast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark-contrast-5492073/) [Dark Meaning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark-meaning-3093514/) [Darkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) [Dualism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dualism/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Light and dark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light-and-dark/) [Light dark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light-dark/) [Opposites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposites/) [Opposition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposition/) ## Related quotes > [It is in the contrast of light and dark that design happens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-van-wyk/it-is-in-the-contrast-of-light-and-dark-that-design-happens/) [Helen Van Wyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-van-wyk/) > [If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning: just as, if there were no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/if-the-whole-universe-has-no-meaning-we-should-never-have-found-out/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [When we look at the universe, what we see by eye or with our telescopes is only five percent of the universe. The rest,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fabiola-gianotti/when-we-look-at-the-universe-what-we-see-by-eye-or-with-our/) [Fabiola Gianotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fabiola-gianotti/) > [I'm drawn between the light and dark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/i-m-drawn-between-the-light-and-dark/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [Don't fight darkness. Bring the light, and darkness will disappear,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maharishi-mahesh-yogi/don-t-fight-darkness-bring-the-light-and-darkness-will-disappear/) [Maharishi Mahesh Yogi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maharishi-mahesh-yogi/) > [No one escapes that moment of innocence when the world attacks him and installs within him the spirit of opposites... As long as everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-resnick/no-one-escapes-that-moment-of-innocence-when-the-world-attacks-him/) [Milton Resnick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-resnick/) > [There should not be a separation of light and dark, good or bad, naughty or nice. Actions take all of the above, as does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-b/there-should-not-be-a-separation-of-light-and-dark-good-or-bad/) [Becca B](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-b/) > [My understanding – of course, I’m not a philosopher or a scientist – of an aspect of Goethe’s theory of color is that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-webb/my-understanding-of-course-i-m-not-a-philosopher-or-a-scientist-of-an/) [Alex Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-webb/) > [“The longing for improvement and the fear of waste and worse - it is a pattern still with us, and maybe it speaks to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-thomson/the-longing-for-improvement-and-the-fear-of-waste-and-worse-it-is-a/) [David Thomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-thomson/) > [The eye doesn't see any shapes, it sees only what is differentiated through light and dark or through colors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/the-eye-doesn-t-see-any-shapes-it-sees-only-what-is-differentiated/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [There's light and dark in all things, you know?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-kelechi-watson/there-s-light-and-dark-in-all-things-you-know/) [Susan Kelechi Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-kelechi-watson/) > [The real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/the-real-tragedy-of-life-is-when-men-are-afraid-of-the-light/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“There's a thin boundary between the light and dark side. Both are fervent to reign in the space of the other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-d-gonsalves/there-s-a-thin-boundary-between-the-light-and-dark-side-both-are/) [Gloria D. Gonsalves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-d-gonsalves/) > [“Carry your light to every dark corner.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/carry-your-light-to-every-dark-corner/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [The chief concern of the French Impressionists was the discovery of balance between light and dark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-gardiner/the-chief-concern-of-the-french-impressionists-was-the-discovery-of/) [Stephen Gardiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-gardiner/) ## More by Bob Ross > [People look at me like I'm a little strange, when I go around talking to squirrels and rabbits and stuff. That's ok. That's just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ross/people-look-at-me-like-i-m-a-little-strange-when-i-go-around-talking/) [Bob Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ross/) > [Never think about the mistakes you made. Think about the mistakes you will make.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ross/never-think-about-the-mistakes-you-made-think-about-the-mistakes-you/) [Bob Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ross/) > [It's the imperfections that make something beautiful, that's what makes it different and unique from everything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ross/it-s-the-imperfections-that-make-something-beautiful-that-s-what/) [Bob Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ross/) > [We artists are a different breed of people. We're a happy bunch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ross/we-artists-are-a-different-breed-of-people-we-re-a-happy-bunch/) [Bob Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ross/) > [There are thousands of very, very talented artists who will never be known, even after they are dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ross/there-are-thousands-of-very-very-talented-artists-who-will-never-be/) [Bob Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ross/) > [Think about a cloud. Just float around and be there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ross/think-about-a-cloud-just-float-around-and-be-there/) [Bob Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ross/) > [Let's build us a happy, little cloud that floats around the sky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ross/let-s-build-us-a-happy-little-cloud-that-floats-around-the-sky/) [Bob Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ross/) > [People might look at you a bit funny, but it's okay. Artists are allowed to be a bit different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ross/people-might-look-at-you-a-bit-funny-but-it-s-okay-artists-are/) [Bob Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ross/) > [“This is your bravery test. You worked so hard and then a crazy-haired guy tells you to throw in a big ol' tree on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ross/this-is-your-bravery-test-you-worked-so-hard-and-then-a-crazy-haired/) [Bob Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ross/) > [It's so important to do something every day that will make you happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ross/it-s-so-important-to-do-something-every-day-that-will-make-you-happy/) [Bob Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ross/) > [I can't think of anything more rewarding than being able to express yourself to others through painting. Exercising the imagination, experimenting with talents, being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ross/i-can-t-think-of-anything-more-rewarding-than-being-able-to-express/) [Bob Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ross/) > [“You know me, I think there ought to be a big old tree right there. And let's give him a friend. Everybody needs a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ross/you-know-me-i-think-there-ought-to-be-a-big-old-tree-right-there-and/) [Bob Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ross/) > [There are no mistakes, only happy accidents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ross/there-are-no-mistakes-only-happy-accidents/) [Bob Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ross/) > [I have to paint fast on television because of the limited time, but I don't want people to see what I'm showing them as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ross/i-have-to-paint-fast-on-television-because-of-the-limited-time-but-i/) [Bob Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ross/) > [Remember, you can do anything in your world that you want to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-ross/remember-you-can-do-anything-in-your-world-that-you-want-to/) [Bob Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ross/) [Explore all 74 Bob Ross quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-ross/) ## More Comparison quotes > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [It is exactly in the repetition of the exercises that the education of the senses exists; not that the child shall know colors, forms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/it-is-exactly-in-the-repetition-of-the-exercises-that-the-education/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [Geometry, which should only obey Physics, when united with it sometimes commands it. If it happens that the question which we wish to examine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-le-rond-d-alembert/geometry-which-should-only-obey-physics-when-united-with-it-sometimes/) [Jean le Rond d'Alembert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-le-rond-d-alembert/) > [I like to say that women are those who form life in their wombs - and this is a comparison I make - they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/i-like-to-say-that-women-are-those-who-form-life-in-their-wombs-and/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [You are Insignificant. One of millions, neither special nor unique. I did not ask for this ignominy, and I resent the comparison. Fine. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-k-jemisin/you-are-insignificant-one-of-millions-neither-special-nor-unique-i/) [N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-k-jemisin/) > [President Obama's achievements and failures must be evaluated by comparison to those chief executives who have come before him and not be measured against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-garrow/president-obama-s-achievements-and-failures-must-be-evaluated-by/) [David Garrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-garrow/) > [Composing a piece of music is very feminine. It is sensitive, emotional, contemplative. By comparison, doing housework is positively masculine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kolb/composing-a-piece-of-music-is-very-feminine-it-is-sensitive-emotional/) [Barbara Kolb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kolb/) > [I think the first person to call me 'Britain's Obama' was Martin Bright at the New Statesman. Harriet Harman made the comparison once at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuka-umunna/i-think-the-first-person-to-call-me-britain-s-obama-was-martin-bright/) [Chuka Umunna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuka-umunna/) > [The insolence of base minds in success is boundless; and would scarce admit of a comparison, did not they themselves furnish us with one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-sterne/the-insolence-of-base-minds-in-success-is-boundless-and-would-scarce/) [Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-sterne/) > [The wise man does not permit himself to set up even in his own mind any comparisons of his friends. His friendship is capable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dudley-warner/the-wise-man-does-not-permit-himself-to-set-up-even-in-his-own-mind/) [Charles Dudley Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dudley-warner/) > [It’s always going to be easy to live like others or other’s life, because creating or innovating something of own is always difficult in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anuj/it-s-always-going-to-be-easy-to-live-like-others-or-other-s-life/) [Anuj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anuj/) > [The streets, at least in this part of town, seemed impossibly clean in comparison to London. The public telephones were unvandalised. For a London…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-james/the-streets-at-least-in-this-part-of-town-seemed-impossibly-clean-in/) [Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) > [It is only through contact and comparison that the relative value or worthlessness of the various cultural elements can be clearly and critically seen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hu-shih/it-is-only-through-contact-and-comparison-that-the-relative-value-or/) [Hu Shih](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hu-shih/) > [I feel I'm in 2006 form to be honest. I hear a lot of comparisons to 2004, but I never changed. 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