Art Quote by Charles Horton Cooley
“To desire to be an artist is to desire to be a complete man in respect to some one function, to realize yourself utterly. A man is a poor thing who is content not to be an artist.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Human Nature and the Social Order, 1902
Aspiring to artistic expression is seen as achieving wholeness, while settling for less is viewed as a loss of self.
In simple terms: Being an artist means being whole; not being one means being incomplete.
Key Takeaway
Pursue creative growth.
Themes
self‑actualization
creativity
identity
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career development
- personal fulfillment
- artistic practice
- education
- self‑esteem
Key Concepts
Humanism
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “complete man” mean to you?
- How can non‑artists find fulfillment?
A Different Perspective
Not everyone can or wants to become an artist; practical constraints may limit artistic pursuit.
![“[To be an artist,] this desire to conquer all with images.” quote by Gunter Grass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00d/gunter-grass-3046_art_to-be-an-artist-this-desire-to-conquer-a_378010.jpg)
