Ambition Quote by Edward Abbey
““There was this tendency to drift. And yet when she thought about it, what did she really want to do? Or be? She had given up dancing-the dance-because it was too demanding, because it required an almost total devotion which she was unwilling to give. The cruelest art. ””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Journey Home by Edward Abbey, 1974
The passage describes a person who abandoned a demanding passion, feeling that its required total devotion was too much, labeling it a cruel art.
In simple terms: She gave up a demanding art because it required total devotion.
Key Takeaway
Consider the cost of total devotion before abandoning a passion.
Themes
passion
devotion
abandonment
art
self‑knowledge
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
Type
literary
reflective
When to use this quote
- career decisions
- artistic pursuits
- personal growth
Key Concepts
commitment
personal sacrifice
creative expression
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “cruelest art” mean to you?
- Can you find balance without total devotion?
A Different Perspective
The quote may romanticize sacrifice without acknowledging healthy boundaries.
