Abandon Quote by Hubert Selby, Jr
“Being an artist doesn’t take much, just everything you got. Which means, of course, that as the process is giving you life, it is also bringing you closer to death. But it’s no big deal. They are one in the same and cannot be avoided or denied. So when I totally embrace this process, this life/death, and abandon myself to it, I transcend all this meaningless gibberish and hang out with the gods. It seems to me that that is worth the price of admission.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Hubert Selby Jr., 1995
Art demands total commitment, merging life and death; surrendering to this process leads to transcendence and a sense of divine connection.
In simple terms: Art is a life‑death dance; giving all brings higher insight.
Key Takeaway
Give everything to your art.
Themes
commitment
life‑death
transcendence
Mood
intense
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- painting
- writing
- performance
- personal crisis
Key Concepts
total immersion
spirituality
creative sacrifice
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “death” mean in creative work?
- Is total surrender sustainable?
A Different Perspective
The view may romanticize suffering, ignoring practical limits.
