Be good Quote by Engelbert Humperdinck
“At first I thought I should be a second Beethoven; presently I found that to be another Schubert would be good; then gradually, satisfied with less and less, I resigned to be a Humperdinck.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: “Music and Identity” with Engelbert Humperdinck, 1998
The speaker reflects on artistic ambition, initially aiming to emulate great composers, then settling for lesser aspirations, illustrating the tension between lofty goals and realistic self‑acceptance.
In simple terms: Artists often lower expectations over time.
Embrace realistic artistic goals.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- career planning
- creative projects
- self‑reflection
- goal setting
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives you to aim higher?
- How to balance ambition with humility?
Settling may limit creative potential.