--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The right art is purposeless, aimless!…" description: "\"The right art is purposeless, aimless! The more obstinately you try to learn how to shoot the arrow for the sake of hitting the goal, the less you will..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/d-t-suzuki-8748_aimless_the-right-art-is-purposeless-aimless-the_2295091.jpg" --- # The right art is purposeless, aimless! The more… ![“The right art is purposeless, aimless! The more obstinately you try to learn how to shoot the arrow for the sake of hitting the goal, the less you will succeed in the one and the further the other will recede.” quote by D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/d-t-suzuki-8748_aimless_the-right-art-is-purposeless-aimless-the_2295091.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/d-t-suzuki-8748_aimless_the-right-art-is-purposeless-aimless-the_2295091.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/d-t-suzuki-8748_aimless_the-right-art-is-purposeless-aimless-the_2295091.jpg) > “The right art is purposeless, aimless! The more obstinately you try to learn how to shoot the arrow for the sake of hitting the goal, the less you will succeed in the one and the further the other will recede.” [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Attempting to force a result makes the process rigid; true skill emerges when intention is absent. **In simple terms:** Forceful aiming hinders success. Key Takeaway Practice without attachment to outcome. Themes mindfulness skill effort non‑attachment Mood contemplative serene Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - learning a craft - sports training - creative work - goal setting Key Concepts Zen philosophy flow state Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance effort and ease? - When does detachment hinder progress? A Different Perspective Some goals require deliberate focus, not just “effortless” action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aimless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aimless/) [Archery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/archery/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) ## Related quotes > [“The right art," cried the Master, "is purposeless, aimless! The more obstinately you try to learn how to shoot the arrow for the sake…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugen-herrigel/the-right-art-cried-the-master-is-purposeless-aimless-the-more/) [Eugen Herrigel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugen-herrigel/) > [If you shoot an arrow and it goes real high... Hooray for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorian-corey/if-you-shoot-an-arrow-and-it-goes-real-high-hooray-for-you/) [Dorian Corey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorian-corey/) > [When you shoot an arrow of truth, dip its point in honey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arab-proverb/when-you-shoot-an-arrow-of-truth-dip-its-point-in-honey/) Arab Proverb > [The more obstinately you try to learn how to shoot the arrow for the sake of hitting the goal, the less you will succeed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugen-herrigel/the-more-obstinately-you-try-to-learn-how-to-shoot-the-arrow-for-the-2/) [Eugen Herrigel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugen-herrigel/) > [Why cant CUPID shoot himself with his own arrow just to see. . . .HOW LOVE REALLY HURTS.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/why-cant-cupid-shoot-himself-with-his-own-arrow-just-to-see-how-love/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Now we just need to find someone who is close to the king but is really a spy for Mydogg." "That should be easy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/now-we-just-need-to-find-someone-who-is-close-to-the-king-but-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I shoot an arrow into the air, where it lands I do not care: I get my arrows wholesale!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curly-howard/i-shoot-an-arrow-into-the-air-where-it-lands-i-do-not-care-i-get-my/) [Curly Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curly-howard/) > [I prefer to shoot the arrow, then paint the target around it. You make the niches in which you finally reside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-eno/i-prefer-to-shoot-the-arrow-then-paint-the-target-around-it-you-make/) [Brian Eno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-eno/) > [Planning is like "pointing yourself" in the direction of a target...no more than that. Let your power then redefine the target, and re-point you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-carroll/planning-is-like-pointing-yourself-in-the-direction-of-a-target-no/) [Lee Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-carroll/) > [People in the arts often want to aim for the biggest, most obvious target, and hit it smack in the bull’s eye. Of course…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-eno/people-in-the-arts-often-want-to-aim-for-the-biggest-most-obvious/) [Brian Eno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-eno/) > [The more obstinately you try to learn how to shoot the arrow for the sake of hitting the goal, the less you will succeed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugen-herrigel/the-more-obstinately-you-try-to-learn-how-to-shoot-the-arrow-for-the/) [Eugen Herrigel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugen-herrigel/) > [Instead of shooting arrows at someone elses target, which Ive never been very good at, I make my own target around wherever my arrow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-eno/instead-of-shooting-arrows-at-someone-elses-target-which-ive-never/) [Brian Eno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-eno/) > [“If you shoot an arrow and it goes real high...hurray for you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorian-corey/if-you-shoot-an-arrow-and-it-goes-real-high-hurray-for-you/) [Dorian Corey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorian-corey/) > [It's basic research: shoot an arrow in the air. Where it lands, paint a bullseye.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-streb/it-s-basic-research-shoot-an-arrow-in-the-air-where-it-lands-paint-a/) [Elizabeth Streb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-streb/) > [You shoot your arrow and then you paint your bulls eye around it, and therefore you have hit the target dead centre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-eno/you-shoot-your-arrow-and-then-you-paint-your-bulls-eye-around-it-and/) [Brian Eno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-eno/) ## More by D.T. Suzuki > [The worst passion we mortals cherish is the desire to possess. Even when we know that our final destination is a hole not more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/the-worst-passion-we-mortals-cherish-is-the-desire-to-possess-even/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Copying is slavery. The letter must never be followed, only the spirit is to be grasped. Higher affirmations live in the spirit. And where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/copying-is-slavery-the-letter-must-never-be-followed-only-the-spirit/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Zen, in its essence is the art of seeing into the nature of one's own being, and it points the way from bondage to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/zen-in-its-essence-is-the-art-of-seeing-into-the-nature-of-one-s-own/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [The mistake consists in our splitting into two what is really and absolutely one. Is not life one as we live it, which we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/the-mistake-consists-in-our-splitting-into-two-what-is-really-and/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Until we recognize the SELF that exists apart from who we think we are - we cannot know the Ch'an ( ZEN ) MIND](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/until-we-recognize-the-self-that-exists-apart-from-who-we-think-we/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Facts of experience are valued in Zen more than representations, symbols, and concepts-that is to say, substance is everything in Zen and form nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/facts-of-experience-are-valued-in-zen-more-than-representations/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [The claim of the Zen followers that they are transmitting the essence of Buddhism is based on their belief that Zen takes hold of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/the-claim-of-the-zen-followers-that-they-are-transmitting-the-essence/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [When we start to feel anxious or depressed, instead of asking, "What do I need to get to be happy?" The question becomes, "What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/when-we-start-to-feel-anxious-or-depressed-instead-of-asking-what-do/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Zen abhors repetition or imitation of any kind, for it kills. For the same reason Zen never explains, but only affirms. Life is fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/zen-abhors-repetition-or-imitation-of-any-kind-for-it-kills-for-the/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [To point at the moon a finger is needed, but woe to those who take the finger for the moon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/to-point-at-the-moon-a-finger-is-needed-but-woe-to-those-who-take-the/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [One has not understood until one has forgotten it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/one-has-not-understood-until-one-has-forgotten-it/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [That's why I love philosophy: no one wins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/that-s-why-i-love-philosophy-no-one-wins/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Zen opens a man's eyes to the greatest mystery as it is daily and hourly performed; it enlarges the heart to embrace eternity of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/zen-opens-a-man-s-eyes-to-the-greatest-mystery-as-it-is-daily-and/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [“Modern life seems to recede further and further away from nature, and closely connected with this fact we seem to be losing the feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/modern-life-seems-to-recede-further-and-further-away-from-nature-and/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Zen Makes use, to a great extent, of poetical expressions; Zen is wedded to poetry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/zen-makes-use-to-a-great-extent-of-poetical-expressions-zen-is-wedded/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) [Explore all 78 D.T. Suzuki quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) ## More Aimless quotes > [An objective is an ambition, and life without ambition is ... well, aimless wandering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-wainwright/an-objective-is-an-ambition-and-life-without-ambition-is-well-aimless/) [Alfred Wainwright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-wainwright/) > [The ellipse is as aimless as that, Stretching invisibly into the future so as to reappear In our present. Its flexing is its account,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ashbery/the-ellipse-is-as-aimless-as-that-stretching-invisibly-into-the/) [John Ashbery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ashbery/) > [“As the crow flies. That’s how she liked to walk. So what if she had nowhere to go? So what if no one on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-pascal/as-the-crow-flies-that-s-how-she-liked-to-walk-so-what-if-she-had/) [Francine Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-pascal/) > [“To be useful was the best thing the old men ever hoped for themselves, and to be aimless was their worst fear”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/to-be-useful-was-the-best-thing-the-old-men-ever-hoped-for-themselves/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [Aimless drifting also fulfills an intention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/aimless-drifting-also-fulfills-an-intention/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [I was going to say he's aimless," the witch replied. "I know he's a bit old to be old to living at home with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-buckley/i-was-going-to-say-he-s-aimless-the-witch-replied-i-know-he-s-a-bit/) [Michael Buckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-buckley/) > [To the Taoist mentality, the aimless, empty life does not suggest anything depressing. On the contrary, it suggests the freedom of clouds and mountain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-watts/to-the-taoist-mentality-the-aimless-empty-life-does-not-suggest/) [Alan Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-watts/) > [Even aimless journeys have a purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-horwitz/even-aimless-journeys-have-a-purpose/) [Tony Horwitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-horwitz/) > [We all know them — the unstructured person whose every action seems aimless and the totally organized person whose every action defeats some purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-breault/we-all-know-them-the-unstructured-person-whose-every-action-seems/) [Robert Breault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-breault/) > [“\[ Responding to the Bishop of Oxford, Samuel Wilberforce's question whether he traced his descent from an ape on his mother's or his father's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-huxley/responding-to-the-bishop-of-oxford-samuel-wilberforce-s-question/) [Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-huxley/) > [Aimless person is a shameless person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/aimless-person-is-a-shameless-person/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's funny how aimless a person can feel at times, even when they know God is in control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-fabry/it-s-funny-how-aimless-a-person-can-feel-at-times-even-when-they-know/) [Chris Fabry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-fabry/) > [Intelligence in isolation turns to aimless marauding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/intelligence-in-isolation-turns-to-aimless-marauding/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [The white people were as thick and numerous and aimless as grasshoppers, moving always in a hurry but never seeming to get to whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-brown/the-white-people-were-as-thick-and-numerous-and-aimless-as/) [Dee Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-brown/) > [Far away, our dreams have nothing to do with what we do. The wind carries the night, and passes on, aimless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahmoud-darwish/far-away-our-dreams-have-nothing-to-do-with-what-we-do-the-wind/) [Mahmoud Darwish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahmoud-darwish/) [Browse all 49 Aimless quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aimless/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The right art is purposeless, aimless! The more obstinately you try to learn how to shoot the arrow for the sake of hitting the goal, the less you will succeed in the one and the further the other will recede.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "D.T. 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