---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I tried each thing, only some were…"
description: "\"I tried each thing, only some were immortal and free.\" — John Ashbery"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8f/john-ashbery-3600_free_i-tried-each-thing-only-some-were-immort_1016555.png"
---

#  I tried each thing, only some were immortal and free.

![“I tried each thing, only some were immortal and free.” quote by John Ashbery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8f/john-ashbery-3600_free_i-tried-each-thing-only-some-were-immort_1016555.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8f/john-ashbery-3600_free_i-tried-each-thing-only-some-were-immort_1016555.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8f/john-ashbery-3600_free_i-tried-each-thing-only-some-were-immort_1016555.png)

> “I tried each thing, only some were immortal and free.”

[John Ashbery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ashbery/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The poet experiments with many ideas, finding only a few that feel timeless and liberating.

**In simple terms:** Only some creations endure.

Key Takeaway

Seek lasting value.

Themes

creativity art impermanence

Mood

inquisitive hopeful

Type

literary inspirational

When to use this quote

- writing
- painting
- music composition

Key Concepts

artistic expression timelessness freedom

Questions to Reflect On

- Which works have stood the test of time for you?
- How do you discern lasting art?

A Different Perspective

Not all attempts achieve immortality.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free/) [Immortal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immortal/) [Immortal Free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immortal-free-2240506/) [Tried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tried/) [Tried Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tried-thing-2240507/)

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