--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If some people are right, artists are put…" description: "\"If some people are right, artists are put into this world not to practice their art, but to talk about it. And judging by the flattering invitations ma..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8c/ethel-smyth-28096_art_if-some-people-are-right-artists-are-put_312327.jpg" --- # If some people are right, artists are put into this world… ![“If some people are right, artists are put into this world not to practice their art, but to talk about it. And judging by the flattering invitations many a humble climber will receive to pontificate from the lowest rung but one of the ladder, humanity is in a dangerously receptive frame of mind…” quote by Ethel Smyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8c/ethel-smyth-28096_art_if-some-people-are-right-artists-are-put_312327.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8c/ethel-smyth-28096_art_if-some-people-are-right-artists-are-put_312327.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8c/ethel-smyth-28096_art_if-some-people-are-right-artists-are-put_312327.jpg) > “If some people are right, artists are put into this world not to practice their art, but to talk about it. And judging by the flattering invitations many a humble climber will receive to pontificate from the lowest rung but one of the ladder, humanity is in a dangerously receptive frame of mind, and artists a race devoid of either modesty or sense of humor.” [Ethel Smyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-smyth/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Artists should exist to discuss art, not merely create it; society often elevates them without humility or humor, leading to pretentiousness. **In simple terms:** Artists talk about art, not just make it. Key Takeaway Value discussion over ego. Themes art humility humor society Mood critical contemplative Type analytical inspirational When to use this quote - gallery openings - art criticism - creative workshops Key Concepts self‑reflection cultural critique Questions to Reflect On - Do we prioritize art's message over the artist? - How can humor keep art grounded? A Different Perspective Artists may become self‑absorbed, losing authenticity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Climbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climbers/) [Frame of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frame-of-mind/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Humble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humble/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Invitations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invitations/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Modesty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modesty/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Publicity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/publicity/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Sense of humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-of-humor/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [The future belongs to a different kind of person with a different kind of mind: artists, inventors, storytellers-creative and holistic 'right-brain' thinkers whose abilities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/the-future-belongs-to-a-different-kind-of-person-with-a-different/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [The thing about writing or making art is that I'm not thinking about that stuff while I'm doing it. Like the driver's ed kid,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-martin/the-thing-about-writing-or-making-art-is-that-i-m-not-thinking-about/) [Chelsea Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-martin/) > [I'm not a megaphone sort of guy. I just let my art talk for itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anh-do/i-m-not-a-megaphone-sort-of-guy-i-just-let-my-art-talk-for-itself/) [Anh Do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anh-do/) > [The educational aspect of art shows has become overbearing: some of exhibits can leave you bleary from trying to read the walls. Presumably a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-updike/the-educational-aspect-of-art-shows-has-become-overbearing-some-of/) [John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-updike/) > [I'd rather get back to making art than talk about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jock-sturges/i-d-rather-get-back-to-making-art-than-talk-about-it/) [Jock Sturges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jock-sturges/) > [Art talk is punk. Let the movie do your speaking for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-denby/art-talk-is-punk-let-the-movie-do-your-speaking-for-you/) [David Denby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-denby/) > [If you want to know about what's good in art, you should talk to an artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barry/if-you-want-to-know-about-what-s-good-in-art-you-should-talk-to-an/) [Robert Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barry/) > [“It is a mistake to think that the practice of my art has become easy to me. I assure you, dear friend, no one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/it-is-a-mistake-to-think-that-the-practice-of-my-art-has-become-easy/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [“If there was one great benefit to the whole practice of art, it was to focus him in the “now,” where the ugly past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-mckenna/if-there-was-one-great-benefit-to-the-whole-practice-of-art-it-was-to/) [Christina McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-mckenna/) > [The practice of art isn't to make a living. It's to make your soul grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/the-practice-of-art-isn-t-to-make-a-living-it-s-to-make-your-soul-grow/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [Art is action. The way I live my life to its highest degree is by writing, the practice of art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/art-is-action-the-way-i-live-my-life-to-its-highest-degree-is-by/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [If you fail to practice your art, it will soon disappear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mrthrill/if-you-fail-to-practice-your-art-it-will-soon-disappear/) Mrthrill > [The practice of any art demands more than 'mere savoir faire'. One must not only be in love with what one does, one must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/the-practice-of-any-art-demands-more-than-mere-savoir-faire-one-must/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [Yes, the more I go through life I realize that there's really no separation between practice and art at all. The two things more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-monk/yes-the-more-i-go-through-life-i-realize-that-there-s-really-no/) [Meredith Monk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-monk/) > [If knowing the truth is sufficient for you, then practice the art of philosophy. If only living the truth will suffice, then practice the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-deida/if-knowing-the-truth-is-sufficient-for-you-then-practice-the-art-of/) [David Deida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-deida/) ## More by Ethel Smyth > [if you take passionate interest in a subject, it is hard not to believe yourself specially equipped for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-smyth/if-you-take-passionate-interest-in-a-subject-it-is-hard-not-to/) [Ethel Smyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-smyth/) > [No doubt other writers have often put a thing more brilliantly, more subtly than even a very cunning artist in words can hope to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-smyth/no-doubt-other-writers-have-often-put-a-thing-more-brilliantly-more/) [Ethel Smyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-smyth/) > [The habit some writers indulge in of perpetual quotation is one it behooves lovers of good literature to protest against, for it is an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-smyth/the-habit-some-writers-indulge-in-of-perpetual-quotation-is-one-it/) [Ethel Smyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-smyth/) > [Because I have conducted my own operas and love sheep-dogs; because I generally dress in tweeds, and sometimes, at winter afternoon concerts, have even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-smyth/because-i-have-conducted-my-own-operas-and-love-sheep-dogs-because-i/) [Ethel Smyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-smyth/) > [If a young dog strays up the aisle during church no one says anything, no one does anything, but, none the less, he soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-smyth/if-a-young-dog-strays-up-the-aisle-during-church-no-one-says-anything/) [Ethel Smyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-smyth/) > [I have often noticed that when Fate has a phenomenal run of ill luck in store for you, she begins by dropping a rare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-smyth/i-have-often-noticed-that-when-fate-has-a-phenomenal-run-of-ill-luck/) [Ethel Smyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-smyth/) > [I loved dancing with a delirious 'I wish I could die' passion, especially when the music appealed to me ... but alas! only one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-smyth/i-loved-dancing-with-a-delirious-i-wish-i-could-die-passion/) [Ethel Smyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-smyth/) > [I can imagine nothing more tiresome than always to speak of people as if they were listening at the door.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-smyth/i-can-imagine-nothing-more-tiresome-than-always-to-speak-of-people-as/) [Ethel Smyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-smyth/) > [night after night I went to sleep murmuring, 'To-morrow I will be easy, strong, quick, supple, accurate, dashing and self-controlled all at once!' For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-smyth/night-after-night-i-went-to-sleep-murmuring-to-morrow-i-will-be-easy/) [Ethel Smyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-smyth/) > [no one is more trustworthy than the repentant sinner who has been found out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-smyth/no-one-is-more-trustworthy-than-the-repentant-sinner-who-has-been/) [Ethel Smyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-smyth/) > [the majority of critical, and plenty of uncritical, readers find quotations a bore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-smyth/the-majority-of-critical-and-plenty-of-uncritical-readers-find/) [Ethel Smyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-smyth/) > [when I came to know Greek art I instantly understood that excess and perfection are enemies; yet on the other hand this world and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-smyth/when-i-came-to-know-greek-art-i-instantly-understood-that-excess-and/) [Ethel Smyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-smyth/) > [The charms of seclusion are seldom combined with the conveniences of civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-smyth/the-charms-of-seclusion-are-seldom-combined-with-the-conveniences-of/) [Ethel Smyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-smyth/) > [crawling about the floor like half-dead November flies is one thing, and dancing reels another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-smyth/crawling-about-the-floor-like-half-dead-november-flies-is-one-thing/) [Ethel Smyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-smyth/) > [ \[On golf:\] ... though aware I could never be more than a humble potterer, it was impossible to repress the wild upsurgings of hope… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-smyth/on-golf-though-aware-i-could-never-be-more-than-a-humble-potterer-it/) [Ethel Smyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-smyth/) [Explore all 19 Ethel Smyth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-smyth/) ## 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 > [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": "If some people are right, artists are put into this world not to practice their art, but to talk about it. 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