--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Each something is a celebration of the…" description: "\"“Each something is a celebration of the nothing that supports it.”\" — John Cage" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb8/john-cage-2094_birthday_each-something-is-a-celebration-of-the-n_2968241.png" --- # Each something is a celebration of the nothing that… ![“Each something is a celebration of the nothing that supports it.” quote by John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb8/john-cage-2094_birthday_each-something-is-a-celebration-of-the-n_2968241.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb8/john-cage-2094_birthday_each-something-is-a-celebration-of-the-n_2968241.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb8/john-cage-2094_birthday_each-something-is-a-celebration-of-the-n_2968241.png) > ““Each something is a celebration of the nothing that supports it.”” [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Art highlights that the emptiness surrounding an object gives it meaning and value. **In simple terms:** Nothing gives shape to things. Key Takeaway Notice the space that frames your work. Themes creativity perception artistry Mood contemplative inspired Type philosophical artistic When to use this quote - gallery curation - musical composition - interior design - writing - photography Key Concepts existentialism aesthetics Questions to Reflect On - How does silence shape your creations? - What does “nothing” mean to you? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on emptiness can lead to nihilism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Birthday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/birthday/) [Celebration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celebration/) [Celebration Supports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celebration-supports-4555907/) [Support](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/support/) [Supports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supports/) ## Related quotes > [Nature supports right action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maharishi-mahesh-yogi/nature-supports-right-action/) [Maharishi Mahesh Yogi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maharishi-mahesh-yogi/) > [The attitude I take is that everyday life is more interesting than forms of celebration, when we become aware of it. That when is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/the-attitude-i-take-is-that-everyday-life-is-more-interesting-than/) [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) > [Let no one imagine that in owning a recording he has the music. The very practice of music is a celebration that we own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/let-no-one-imagine-that-in-owning-a-recording-he-has-the-music-the/) [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) > [That is my work, to transform your life from a sad affair into a celebration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/that-is-my-work-to-transform-your-life-from-a-sad-affair-into-a/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Live before you die, so that death is also a lively celebration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-k-s-iyengar/live-before-you-die-so-that-death-is-also-a-lively-celebration/) [B.K.S. Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-k-s-iyengar/) > [It's a celebration every time we link up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicki-minaj/it-s-a-celebration-every-time-we-link-up/) [Nicki Minaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicki-minaj/) > [You have a gift that only you can give the world - that's the whole reason you're on the planet. Use your precious energy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/you-have-a-gift-that-only-you-can-give-the-world-that-s-the-whole/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [I'm all for anybody having a party who wants that. The funny thing about me and birthdays or any kind of celebration where it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-basinger/i-m-all-for-anybody-having-a-party-who-wants-that-the-funny-thing/) [Kim Basinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-basinger/) > [I reflected a lot, I thought a lot on my 50th birthday. It has been one of the most important birthdays in my life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakesh-jhunjhunwala/i-reflected-a-lot-i-thought-a-lot-on-my-50th-birthday-it-has-been-one/) [Rakesh Jhunjhunwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakesh-jhunjhunwala/) > [If I need a cause for celebration, Or a comfort I can use to ease my mind, I rely on my imagination, And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/if-i-need-a-cause-for-celebration-or-a-comfort-i-can-use-to-ease-my/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [As each one of us awakens, it is like a light going on, followed by another light, another light, and another light. The darkness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-jacobson/as-each-one-of-us-awakens-it-is-like-a-light-going-on-followed-by/) [Leonard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-jacobson/) > [Thinking about writing as an act of celebration is sometimes a helpful framework for me. It allows me to prioritize what I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-kay/thinking-about-writing-as-an-act-of-celebration-is-sometimes-a/) [Sarah Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-kay/) > [People of our time are losing the power of celebration. Instead of celebrating we seek to be amused or entertained. Celebration is an active…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/people-of-our-time-are-losing-the-power-of-celebration-instead-of/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [Every day we have a special reason to make a good celebration! And that reason is our very existence!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/every-day-we-have-a-special-reason-to-make-a-good-celebration-and/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Spiritually, life is a festival, a celebration. Joy is of the essence of life;](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnivesh/spiritually-life-is-a-festival-a-celebration-joy-is-of-the-essence-of/) [Agnivesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnivesh/) ## More by John Cage > [If something is boring after two minutes, try it for four. If still boring, then eight. Then sixteen. Then thirty-two. Eventually one discovers that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/if-something-is-boring-after-two-minutes-try-it-for-four-if-still/) [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) > [ It was at Harvard not quite forty years ago that I went into an anechoic \[totally silent\] chamber not expecting in that silent room… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/it-was-at-harvard-not-quite-forty-years-ago-that-i-went-into-an/) [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) > [So somebody has talent? So what? Dime a dozen. And we're overpopulated. Actually we have more food than we have people and more art.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/so-somebody-has-talent-so-what-dime-a-dozen-and-we-re-overpopulated/) [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) > [“...the important questions are answered by not liking only but disliking and accepting equally what one likes and dislikes. Otherwise there is no access…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/the-important-questions-are-answered-by-not-liking-only-but-disliking/) [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) > [The material of music is sound and silence. Integrating these is composing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/the-material-of-music-is-sound-and-silence-integrating-these-is/) [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) > [There is poetry as soon as we realize that we possess nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/there-is-poetry-as-soon-as-we-realize-that-we-possess-nothing/) [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) > [To see, one must go beyond the imiagination and for that one must stand absolutely still as though at the center of a leap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/to-see-one-must-go-beyond-the-imiagination-and-for-that-one-must/) [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) > [Value judgments are destructive to our proper business, which is curiosity and awareness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/value-judgments-are-destructive-to-our-proper-business-which-is/) [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) > [Our intention is to affirm this life, not to bring order out of chaos, nor to suggest improvements in creation, but simply to wake…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/our-intention-is-to-affirm-this-life-not-to-bring-order-out-of-chaos/) [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) > [There are some good people in it, but the orchestra as a whole is equivalent to a gang bent on destruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/there-are-some-good-people-in-it-but-the-orchestra-as-a-whole-is/) [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) > [Art's purpose is to sober and quiet the mind so that it is in accord with what happens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/art-s-purpose-is-to-sober-and-quiet-the-mind-so-that-it-is-in-accord/) [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) > [People who aren't artists often feel that artists are inspired. But if you work at your art you don't have time to be inspired.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/people-who-aren-t-artists-often-feel-that-artists-are-inspired-but-if/) [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) > [“Farting, don't think, just fart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/farting-don-t-think-just-fart/) [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) > [Not one sound fears the silence that extinguishes it. And no silence exists that is not pregnant with sound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/not-one-sound-fears-the-silence-that-extinguishes-it-and-no-silence/) [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) > [My work became an exploration of non-intention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/my-work-became-an-exploration-of-non-intention/) [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) [Explore all 186 John Cage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) ## More Birthday quotes > [I had sort of had a 21st birthday when I was 17, 18 years old living in Japan. I had all of that stuff…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-wright/i-had-sort-of-had-a-21st-birthday-when-i-was-17-18-years-old-living/) [Sarah Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-wright/) > [Spiritually, life is a festival, a celebration. Joy is of the essence of life;](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnivesh/spiritually-life-is-a-festival-a-celebration-joy-is-of-the-essence-of/) [Agnivesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnivesh/) > [Here is your third gift from Me once again..I had a fourth gift it was about me making a video telling you how much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lilbear/here-is-your-third-gift-from-me-once-again-i-had-a-fourth-gift-it-was/) [LilBear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lilbear/) > [To divide one's life by years is of course to tumble into a trap set by our own arithmetic. The calendar consents to carry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifton-fadiman/to-divide-one-s-life-by-years-is-of-course-to-tumble-into-a-trap-set/) [Clifton Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clifton-fadiman/) > [“Natales grate numeras? (Do you count your birthdays with gratitude?)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/natales-grate-numeras-do-you-count-your-birthdays-with-gratitude/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [“Jarod Kintz Day—it’s not just my birthday, but it should be a holiday that’s mandatory to celebrate, punishable by death if you don’t. It’ll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/jarod-kintz-day-it-s-not-just-my-birthday-but-it-should-be-a-holiday/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [May Lord bless you abundantly because a sweetheart like you deserves the best! Have a glorious and memorable Birthday!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/may-lord-bless-you-abundantly-because-a-sweetheart-like-you-deserves/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Happy Birthday To Me,I just turned twenty three(23),I want a new Puppy, And I'll name it Julie:) Chocolate cake anyone all I have leftover,,,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becka-miller/happy-birthday-to-me-i-just-turned-twenty-three-23-i-want-a-new-puppy/) [Becka Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becka-miller/) > [I've always taken care of myself, and I'm a non-conformist, so I don't accept the negativity that comes with birthdays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-van-dam/i-ve-always-taken-care-of-myself-and-i-m-a-non-conformist-so-i-don-t/) [Rob Van Dam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-van-dam/) > [If you're going to do a job, do it right. If you're going to throw a birthday party, make it amazing. If you're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-john-liautaud/if-you-re-going-to-do-a-job-do-it-right-if-you-re-going-to-throw-a/) [Jimmy John Liautaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-john-liautaud/) > [On Father's Day, we again wish you all happy birthday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-kiner/on-father-s-day-we-again-wish-you-all-happy-birthday/) [Ralph Kiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-kiner/) > [I got Mary pregnant and man that's all she wrote. And for my 19th birthday, I got a union card and a factory coat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-got-mary-pregnant-and-man-that-s-all-she-wrote-and-for-my-19th/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [There's a vintage which comes with age and experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bon-jovi/there-s-a-vintage-which-comes-with-age-and-experience/) [Jon Bon Jovi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bon-jovi/) > [When I turned 35, I thought, 'Mozart was dead at 36, so I set the bar: I'm going to start writing a book on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-i-turned-35-i-thought-mozart-was-dead-at-36-so-i-set-the-bar-i-m/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [Every day we have a special reason to make a good celebration! And that reason is our very existence!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/every-day-we-have-a-special-reason-to-make-a-good-celebration-and/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) [Browse all 2,984 Birthday quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/birthday/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Each something is a celebration of the nothing that supports it.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Cage" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/each-something-is-a-celebration-of-the-nothing-that-supports-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Birthday" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/each-something-is-a-celebration-of-the-nothing-that-supports-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb8/john-cage-2094_birthday_each-something-is-a-celebration-of-the-n_2968241.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb8/john-cage-2094_birthday_each-something-is-a-celebration-of-the-n_2968241.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb8/john-cage-2094_birthday_each-something-is-a-celebration-of-the-n_2968241.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Each something is a celebration of the nothing that supports it.” — John Cage", "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": "John Cage", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Each something is a celebration of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/each-something-is-a-celebration-of-the-nothing-that-supports-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/each-something-is-a-celebration-of-the-nothing-that-supports-it/#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 } } ] } ```