--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is this view that if you are not…" description: "\"There is this view that if you are not tormented you cannot be vital and creative. I would like to think that is not true.\" — Gillian Anderson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52b/gillian-anderson-4381_creative_there-is-this-view-that-if-you-are-not-t_110472.jpg" --- # There is this view that if you are not tormented you… ![“There is this view that if you are not tormented you cannot be vital and creative. I would like to think that is not true.” quote by Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52b/gillian-anderson-4381_creative_there-is-this-view-that-if-you-are-not-t_110472.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52b/gillian-anderson-4381_creative_there-is-this-view-that-if-you-are-not-t_110472.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52b/gillian-anderson-4381_creative_there-is-this-view-that-if-you-are-not-t_110472.jpg) > “There is this view that if you are not tormented you cannot be vital and creative. I would like to think that is not true.” [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker rejects the notion that suffering is a prerequisite for creativity, suggesting vitality can arise without torment. **In simple terms:** Creativity need not stem from pain. Key Takeaway Creativity can thrive without suffering. Themes creativity well‑being mental health myths Mood thoughtful optimistic Type observation philosophical When to use this quote - artist brainstorming - team innovation sessions - personal growth workshops Key Concepts psychology of creativity self‑compassion Practical Applications - encourage healthy creative environments - challenge harmful myths Questions to Reflect On - What evidence supports creativity without torment? - How can we foster vitality without stress? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Creative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Collaboration is a vital part of my creative life. I've had success with Guy Clark and Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-crowell/collaboration-is-a-vital-part-of-my-creative-life-i-ve-had-success/) [Rodney Crowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-crowell/) > [If you can see yourself more than just a victim, aha, now you've got the place to move into that is much more vital…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-carlin-mccall/if-you-can-see-yourself-more-than-just-a-victim-aha-now-you-ve-got/) [Kelly Carlin-McCall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-carlin-mccall/) > [Your real power is in staying soft, flexible, vital, creative, and ready to adapt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/your-real-power-is-in-staying-soft-flexible-vital-creative-and-ready/) Senoraroy > [The most vital, creative, and positive thoughts are those stated in the Bible. Its words are alive and form powerful thought processes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/the-most-vital-creative-and-positive-thoughts-are-those-stated-in-the/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Man is tormented by no greater anxiety than to find someone quickly to whom he can hand over that great gift of freedom with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/man-is-tormented-by-no-greater-anxiety-than-to-find-someone-quickly/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [My name is Imam Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, the former H. Rap Brown. I am a devoted servant of Allah, and an unwavering devotee to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-rap-brown/my-name-is-imam-jamil-abdullah-al-amin-the-former-h-rap-brown-i-am-a/) [H. Rap Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-rap-brown/) > [I've always been drawn to tormented people full of contradictions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-tabucchi/i-ve-always-been-drawn-to-tormented-people-full-of-contradictions/) [Antonio Tabucchi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-tabucchi/) > [I don't write about anything I don't love even if that love sometimes gets all screwed up and tormented.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-lethem/i-don-t-write-about-anything-i-don-t-love-even-if-that-love-sometimes/) [Jonathan Lethem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-lethem/) > [When a man is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/when-a-man-is-pushed-tormented-defeated-he-has-a-chance-to-learn/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“That little boys and girls should be tormented is what no one at all acquainted with human nature in a civilized state can deny.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/that-little-boys-and-girls-should-be-tormented-is-what-no-one-at-all/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [I hate and love. And why, perhaps you’ll ask. I don’t know: but I feel, and I’m tormented.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catullus/i-hate-and-love-and-why-perhaps-you-ll-ask-i-don-t-know-but-i-feel/) [Catullus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catullus/) > [No one alive is more tormented nor weaker than myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-jong-hyun/no-one-alive-is-more-tormented-nor-weaker-than-myself/) [Kim Jong-hyun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-jong-hyun/) > [“jealous men only tormented themselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-freeman/jealous-men-only-tormented-themselves/) [Philip Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-freeman/) > [No, I'm not anguished and tormented.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-h-w-bush/no-i-m-not-anguished-and-tormented/) [George H. W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-h-w-bush/) > [“it is very well worth-while to be tormented for two or three years of one's life, for the sake of being able to read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/it-is-very-well-worth-while-to-be-tormented-for-two-or-three-years-of/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) ## More by Gillian Anderson > [I used to take myself very seriously, now it's all just funny. You gotta laugh at yourself. You know, most of the time when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-used-to-take-myself-very-seriously-now-it-s-all-just-funny-you/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I was arrested on graduation night for breaking and entering into the high school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-was-arrested-on-graduation-night-for-breaking-and-entering-into-the/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I wouldn't say I'm normal. But I'm relatively stable. When I think of normal, I think of mediocrity, and mediocrity scares the f--- out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-wouldn-t-say-i-m-normal-but-i-m-relatively-stable-when-i-think-of/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I loved being in London. But what I loved the most, I think, and what I learned from the most, was about the 'moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-loved-being-in-london-but-what-i-loved-the-most-i-think-and-what-i/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I think she definitely has. I think, um, her and Mulder's relationship has become more equal. And, I think she has become stronger and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-think-she-definitely-has-i-think-um-her-and-mulder-s-relationship/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [Let's practice what we preach, and with the acceptance that we expect from others, let's stop being so damn judgmental and crucifying everyone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/let-s-practice-what-we-preach-and-with-the-acceptance-that-we-expect/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I've been very careful. I've gone through pretty much everything. I'm very careful not to let go of the prized possessions, or too much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-ve-been-very-careful-i-ve-gone-through-pretty-much-everything-i-m/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [Only once have I taken on a role where I felt that I didn't quite understand her, but I said yes anyway. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/only-once-have-i-taken-on-a-role-where-i-felt-that-i-didn-t-quite/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I hope everyone that is reading this is having a really good day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-hope-everyone-that-is-reading-this-is-having-a-really-good-day/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I go through periods when I feel confident and then I'm apt to be impulsive. But then I go through other times where I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-go-through-periods-when-i-feel-confident-and-then-i-m-apt-to-be/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [You know, it's a big version of an episode, which I think is necessary at this point because we're drawing in people who not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/you-know-it-s-a-big-version-of-an-episode-which-i-think-is-necessary/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I was a good liar as a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-was-a-good-liar-as-a-child/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [After I did nine years of a television series, I didn't want to do anything really that involved going to a set and being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/after-i-did-nine-years-of-a-television-series-i-didn-t-want-to-do/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [I could see It's a Wonderful Life over and over and over again. It's just something. I have actually seen it over and over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/i-could-see-it-s-a-wonderful-life-over-and-over-and-over-again-it-s/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [You know, one day you look at the person and you see something more than you did the night before. Like a switch has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/you-know-one-day-you-look-at-the-person-and-you-see-something-more/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) [Explore all 112 Gillian Anderson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) ## More Creative quotes > [An artist's creative energy is ephemeral as a flower. It blooms and soon dies. No artist is great forever. Personally, I think I reached…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-ki-duk/an-artist-s-creative-energy-is-ephemeral-as-a-flower-it-blooms-and/) [Kim Ki-duk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-ki-duk/) > [When you're being truly creative, time stands still, and you enter a dimension that can carry you beyond the ordinariness of everyday life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-linn/when-you-re-being-truly-creative-time-stands-still-and-you-enter-a/) [Denise Linn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-linn/) > [I started off playing by ear, and being around a bunch of musicians and playing in the streets and in the different parades and,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-andrews/i-started-off-playing-by-ear-and-being-around-a-bunch-of-musicians/) [Troy Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-andrews/) > [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? The skeleton, very flexible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-murchie/can-you-imagine-any-better-example-of-divine-creative-accomplishment/) [Guy Murchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-murchie/) > [Money is only used for two things. One, it's to make you comfortable, and the more comfortable you are the more creative you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/money-is-only-used-for-two-things-one-it-s-to-make-you-comfortable/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Beware of self-indulgence. The romance surrounding the writing profession carries several myths: that one must suffer in order to be creative; that one must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brin/beware-of-self-indulgence-the-romance-surrounding-the-writing/) [David Brin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brin/) > [I can't let fear kill my creative brain. Fear is the killer. Your bad choices come from fear. And I'm constantly combating fear. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-m-chu/i-can-t-let-fear-kill-my-creative-brain-fear-is-the-killer-your-bad/) [Jon M. Chu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-m-chu/) > [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [The creative strength is good enough and deep enough to bring itself to flower and to grow in spite of this sickness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanne-greenberg/the-creative-strength-is-good-enough-and-deep-enough-to-bring-itself/) [Joanne Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanne-greenberg/) > [Anytime I get the chance to sing or work with Michael John, it is such an incredibly fertile and incredibly creative and safe and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/anytime-i-get-the-chance-to-sing-or-work-with-michael-john-it-is-such/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [What Sri Chinmoy does is God-given! He has a tremendous, a fantastic creative urge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shankar/what-sri-chinmoy-does-is-god-given-he-has-a-tremendous-a-fantastic/) [Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shankar/) > [Majority decisions tend to be made without engaging the systematic thought and critical thinking skills of the individuals in the group. Given the force…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/majority-decisions-tend-to-be-made-without-engaging-the-systematic/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [when times are tough, the weak bail and the tough get creative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/when-times-are-tough-the-weak-bail-and-the-tough-get-creative/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [Teasing out the way the world might look through another's eyes is what makes the creative process so fascinating and enjoyable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-l-carter/teasing-out-the-way-the-world-might-look-through-another-s-eyes-is/) [Stephen L. Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-l-carter/) > [The creation lives as genesis beneath the visible surface of the work. All intelligent people see this after the fact, but only the creative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/the-creation-lives-as-genesis-beneath-the-visible-surface-of-the-work/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) [Browse all 7,284 Creative quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is this view that if you are not tormented you cannot be vital and creative. I would like to think that is not true.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gillian Anderson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/there-is-this-view-that-if-you-are-not-tormented-you-cannot-be-vital/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Creative" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/there-is-this-view-that-if-you-are-not-tormented-you-cannot-be-vital/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52b/gillian-anderson-4381_creative_there-is-this-view-that-if-you-are-not-t_110472.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52b/gillian-anderson-4381_creative_there-is-this-view-that-if-you-are-not-t_110472.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52b/gillian-anderson-4381_creative_there-is-this-view-that-if-you-are-not-t_110472.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There is this view that if you are not tormented you cannot be vital and creative. I would like to think…” — Gillian Anderson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Gillian Anderson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There is this view that if...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/there-is-this-view-that-if-you-are-not-tormented-you-cannot-be-vital/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/there-is-this-view-that-if-you-are-not-tormented-you-cannot-be-vital/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```