Art Quote by David Cronenberg
““As an artist you look into yourself to understand the human potential to be all kinds of things that are not necessarily pleasant but are real - a criminal, a murderer, a sadist, a rapist; to be all of these things that many people are. You can't allow yourself to say, 'I'm a different species from those people.' Because you aren't. The criminal as monster is kind of common. That's very convenient because you can then say, 'Of course I'm not a monster, therefore I'm not a criminal therefore I have no potential in tern of criminality.' And that lets you off the hook. That gives you a nice wall between yourself and them.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussing his film "A History of Violence", 2005
Artists must confront all aspects of humanity, including dark impulses, to avoid self‑deception and moral complacency.
In simple terms: Artists explore both good and bad sides of humanity.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge all parts of yourself to stay honest.
Themes
art
human nature
morality
self‑awareness
psychology
Mood
introspective
challenging
provocative
Type
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- therapy
- education
- social commentary
Key Concepts
existentialism
ethical reflection
identity exploration
Questions to Reflect On
- What dark aspects of humanity do you avoid?
- How can confronting them improve empathy?
A Different Perspective
Focusing on darkness may reinforce negative self‑image.
