Art Quote by Ezra Pound
““Don't imagine that the art of poetry is any simpler than the art of music, or that you can please the expert before you have spent at least as much effort on the art of verse as the average piano teacher spends on the art of music. Be influenced by as many great artists as you can, but have the decency either to acknowledge the debt outright, or try to conceal it. Don't allow "influence" to mean merely that you mop up the particular decorative vocabulary of some one or two poets who you happen to admire.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The ABC of Reading, 1934
Artistic creation demands effort comparable to mastery in any discipline; genuine influence requires acknowledgment, not mere imitation.
In simple terms: Creating art is hard and must respect influences.
Key Takeaway
Respect influences and work hard.
Themes
creativity
influence
integrity
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing
- teaching
- art criticism
- personal development
Key Concepts
literary criticism
artistic ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you credit your inspirations?
- What steps ensure original work?
A Different Perspective
Simply copying style limits growth.
![“There are a lot of photographers who have influenced me; some of the great ones, like Herb Ritts, Helmut Newton, and [Alfred] Stieglitz. I draw from all of them. You're supposed to steal from the good ones.” quote by Leonard Nimoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d1a/leonard-nimoy-4535_draws_there-are-a-lot-of-photographers-who-hav_1267156.jpg)
