Abundance Quote by Catherine Drinker Bowen
“One of the marks of true genius is a quality of abundance. A rich, rollicking abundance, enough to give indigestion to ordinary people. Great artists turn it out in rolls, in swatches. They cover whole ceilings with paintings, they chip out a mountainside in stone, they write not one novel but a shelf full. It follows that some of their work is better than other. As much as a third of it may be pretty bad. Shall we say this unevenness is the mark of their humanity - of their proud mortality as well as of their immortality?”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Life of the Mind by Catherine Drinker Bowen, 1955
True genius displays abundant creative output, often overwhelming and uneven, reflecting both human fallibility and timeless brilliance.
In simple terms: Great talent produces lots of work, some good, some bad, showing humanity and immortality.
Key Takeaway
Embrace abundance, accept imperfection.
Themes
creativity
humanity
legacy
imperfection
abundance
Mood
reflective
inspired
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- artist studios
- writing retreats
- large-scale projects
- public exhibitions
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
artistic excess
human mortality
immortality
creative process
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance prolific output with quality?
- What does “proud mortality” mean to you?
A Different Perspective
Abundance can lead to burnout or loss of focus.
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