Agony Quote by Jack White
“When you know your work sells, then seeking a gallery or outdoor show is fine. Then, if an event or art gallery kicks sand in your face don't give up, keep moving forward. Use your brain and eliminate a lot of your personal agony. There are times when you should not take NO for an answer. But there are others when you should never put yourself in the place to be rejected to begin with. Seek the wisdom to know the difference and then go for it. Persevere in the face of disappointment.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Musician Jack White discussing art and perseverance, 2023
Understanding when to persist despite rejection and when to avoid situations that guarantee it, using strategic thinking to reduce personal suffering.
In simple terms: Know when to keep trying and when to avoid futile effort.
Key Takeaway
Apply strategic persistence.
Themes
perseverance
strategy
rejection
self‑awareness
Mood
determined
reflective
Type
advice
motivational
When to use this quote
- artist negotiations
- gallery submissions
- career setbacks
- personal growth
Key Concepts
Resilience
Decision making
Self‑care
Questions to Reflect On
- When should you quit a pursuit?
- How can you assess the likelihood of success before acting?
A Different Perspective
Over‑persistence can waste resources and damage confidence.
![“I'm excited by the band [White Stripes]. It really excites me. But it wouldn't excite me if there weren't those limitations, if we weren't living in that box, if we weren't trapped. Once that goes away, then I'll know that it's not worth doing it any more.” quote by Jack White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9d9/jack-white-1911_band_i-m-excited-by-the-band-white-stripes-it_80124.jpg)
![“[W]e must learn to accommodate ourselves to the discovery that some of those cunningly-fashioned instruments called human souls have only a very limited range of music, and will not vibrate in the least under a touch that fills others with tremulous rapture or quivering agony.” quote by George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9be/george-eliot-84_agony_w-e-must-learn-to-accommodate-ourselves_12409.jpg)
