--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Creativity is not the work of a few. We…" description: "\"Creativity is not the work of a few. We each carry within us the image of God the Creator; we each have the task of making the earth into a fairer, kin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebc/elizabeth-o-connor-47818_art_creativity-is-not-the-work-of-a-few-we-e_629510.jpg" --- # Creativity is not the work of a few. We each carry within… ![“Creativity is not the work of a few. We each carry within us the image of God the Creator; we each have the task of making the earth into a fairer, kinder place. The first step is imagining a better world, and that is most apt to happen when we suffer or look on suffering.” quote by Elizabeth O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebc/elizabeth-o-connor-47818_art_creativity-is-not-the-work-of-a-few-we-e_629510.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebc/elizabeth-o-connor-47818_art_creativity-is-not-the-work-of-a-few-we-e_629510.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebc/elizabeth-o-connor-47818_art_creativity-is-not-the-work-of-a-few-we-e_629510.jpg) > “Creativity is not the work of a few. We each carry within us the image of God the Creator; we each have the task of making the earth into a fairer, kinder place. The first step is imagining a better world, and that is most apt to happen when we suffer or look on suffering.” [Elizabeth O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-o-connor/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creativity is a universal divine gift; envisioning a kinder world begins with empathy sparked by suffering. **In simple terms:** Everyone can create a better world through imagination and compassion. Key Takeaway Use imagination to inspire kindness and action. Themes creativity empathy spirituality social change imagination Mood hopeful motivational Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - education - community projects - artistic endeavors - policy design Key Concepts theology psychology social responsibility Questions to Reflect On - What suffering inspires you to imagine a better world? - How can you turn imagination into concrete action? A Different Perspective Idealism may overlook practical constraints and resources needed for change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Better world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-world/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Creativity Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity-work-1445870/) [Creator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creator/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [First step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-step/) [First steps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-steps/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [God Creator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-creator-376867/) [God image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-image/) [Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens/) [Imagining Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagining-better-1641298/) [Kinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kinder/) [Looks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looks/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Steps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steps/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Tasks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tasks/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“It’s not easy being a mammal with a big cortex. We have enough neurons to imagine things that don’t exist instead of just focusing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-not-easy-being-a-mammal-with-a-big-cortex-we-have-enough-neurons/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Creativity is the work of your hands or the work of your tongue so you have to be careful what you say because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/creativity-is-the-work-of-your-hands-or-the-work-of-your-tongue-so/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [If I pull from places of faith, joy and gratitude, then I have the wind of creativity behind me. And, my work in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-lesser/if-i-pull-from-places-of-faith-joy-and-gratitude-then-i-have-the-wind/) [Elizabeth Lesser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-lesser/) > [All creativity is a work in progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-cavanagh/all-creativity-is-a-work-in-progress/) [Dean Cavanagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-cavanagh/) > [If you cannot allow people to do their jobs ... nobody with substance and creativity will work for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/condoleezza-rice/if-you-cannot-allow-people-to-do-their-jobs-nobody-with-substance-and/) [Condoleezza Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/condoleezza-rice/) > [“Imagine this—what if Leonardo DaVinci’s parents told him he should stop imagining things? Or what if Steve Jobs was told to stop imagining a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-alden/imagine-this-what-if-leonardo-davinci-s-parents-told-him-he-should/) [Michael Alden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-alden/) > [“Basically it means the world's a giant shithole, but some of us are capable of imagining something better.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-lazebnik/basically-it-means-the-world-s-a-giant-shithole-but-some-of-us-are/) [Claire LaZebnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-lazebnik/) > [“I like imagining better than remembering”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-m-montgomery-l-m/i-like-imagining-better-than-remembering/) [L.M.Montgomery【L.M.蒙哥马利】](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-m-montgomery-l-m/) > [Imagining something is better than remembering something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/imagining-something-is-better-than-remembering-something/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [Basically, the world is a giant shithole. But some of us are capable of imagining something better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-lazebnik/basically-the-world-is-a-giant-shithole-but-some-of-us-are-capable-of/) [Claire LaZebnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-lazebnik/) > [“The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lanina-king/the-lord-is-the-everlasting-god-the-creator-of-the-ends-of-the-earth/) [LaNina King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lanina-king/) > [You hear a lot about God these days: God, the beneficent; God, the all-great; God, the Almighty; God, the most powerful; God, the giver…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/you-hear-a-lot-about-god-these-days-god-the-beneficent-god-the-all/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [Be careful not to turn others' lives into the mold for your own...we have a # God who is a # Creator not a # Duplicator .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/be-careful-not-to-turn-others-lives-into-the-mold-for-your-own-we/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [“Your nakedness is the work of God the Creator. Let men admire it--and grow religious between your sheets.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elspeth-marr/your-nakedness-is-the-work-of-god-the-creator-let-men-admire-it-and/) [Elspeth Marr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elspeth-marr/) > [“If God were the doer, when will there be an end?! (If) God is the creator and he made us, we become his toys,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/if-god-were-the-doer-when-will-there-be-an-end-if-god-is-the-creator/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) ## More by Elizabeth O'Connor > [I am convinced that what has the greatest meaning for us is what we uncover for ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-o-connor/i-am-convinced-that-what-has-the-greatest-meaning-for-us-is-what-we/) [Elizabeth O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-o-connor/) > [Because our gifts carry us out into the world and make us participants in life, the uncovering of them is one of the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-o-connor/because-our-gifts-carry-us-out-into-the-world-and-make-us/) [Elizabeth O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-o-connor/) > [The spiritual law at the core of our being requires that we reach out. We are fulfilled to the extent that we live in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-o-connor/the-spiritual-law-at-the-core-of-our-being-requires-that-we-reach-out/) [Elizabeth O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-o-connor/) > [One of the reasons we experience so much difficulty with our gifts is that parents have thought their chief function in life is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-o-connor/one-of-the-reasons-we-experience-so-much-difficulty-with-our-gifts-is/) [Elizabeth O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-o-connor/) > [Strangely enough we strengthen love in ourselves when we raise into consciousness the shadow side of our lives. Conversely, when we keep negative feelings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-o-connor/strangely-enough-we-strengthen-love-in-ourselves-when-we-raise-into/) [Elizabeth O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-o-connor/) > [The silence of prayer is the silence of listening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-o-connor/the-silence-of-prayer-is-the-silence-of-listening/) [Elizabeth O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-o-connor/) > [ “\[on "proportionate giving"\] Proportionate to what? Proportionate to the accumulated wealth of one's family? Proportionate to one's income and the demands upon it, which… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-o-connor/on-proportionate-giving-proportionate-to-what-proportionate-to-the/) [Elizabeth O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-o-connor/) [Explore all 8 Elizabeth O'Connor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-o-connor/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Creativity is not the work of a few. 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