--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Artists no longer starve in garrets. Some…" description: "\"Artists no longer starve in garrets. Some people may think this is not wholly a good thing, that being an artist has become too comfortable, at least i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/j-m-coetzee-2-5391_agree_artists-no-longer-starve-in-garrets-some_977432.jpg" --- # Artists no longer starve in garrets. Some people may think… ![“Artists no longer starve in garrets. Some people may think this is not wholly a good thing, that being an artist has become too comfortable, at least in the West. I'm not sure I agree. It's a mark of civilization to encourage the arts and the life of the mind.” quote by J. M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/j-m-coetzee-2-5391_agree_artists-no-longer-starve-in-garrets-some_977432.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/j-m-coetzee-2-5391_agree_artists-no-longer-starve-in-garrets-some_977432.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/j-m-coetzee-2-5391_agree_artists-no-longer-starve-in-garrets-some_977432.jpg) > “Artists no longer starve in garrets. Some people may think this is not wholly a good thing, that being an artist has become too comfortable, at least in the West. I'm not sure I agree. It's a mark of civilization to encourage the arts and the life of the mind.” [J. M. Coetzee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-coetzee-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Artists now enjoy comfort, which may reduce the struggle that historically fueled creativity. **In simple terms:** Comfort can diminish artistic drive. Key Takeaway Balance comfort with challenge. Themes art comfort culture creativity Mood critical analytical Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - creative work - education - funding policies Key Concepts sociology philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How does hardship influence artistic expression? - What structures maintain artistic vigor? A Different Perspective Challenge can inspire innovation despite comfort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Agree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agree/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Artist Comfortable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist-comfortable-1252772/) [Artists Longer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artists-longer-1917083/) [Arts Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arts-life-285610/) [Being an artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-an-artist/) [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Comfortable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comfortable/) [Garrets People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/garrets-people-1917082/) [Good thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-thing/) [Good things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-things/) [Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mark/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Not sure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/not-sure/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-think/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/west/) ## Related quotes > [I think it's very dangerous as an artist to be comfortable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitski/i-think-it-s-very-dangerous-as-an-artist-to-be-comfortable/) [Mitski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitski/) > [I always want to keep things unwritten. 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