--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The truth about any artist, however…" description: "\"“The truth about any artist, however terrible, is better than the silence… I know many writers fight fanatically to keep their published self separate ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64d/john-fowles-816_art_the-truth-about-any-artist-however-terri_2272186.jpg" --- # The truth about any artist, however terrible, is better… ![“The truth about any artist, however terrible, is better than the silence… I know many writers fight fanatically to keep their published self separate from their private reality… But I've always thought of that as something out of our social, time-serving side; not our true artistic ones. I don't…” quote by John Fowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64d/john-fowles-816_art_the-truth-about-any-artist-however-terri_2272186.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64d/john-fowles-816_art_the-truth-about-any-artist-however-terri_2272186.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64d/john-fowles-816_art_the-truth-about-any-artist-however-terri_2272186.jpg) > ““The truth about any artist, however terrible, is better than the silence… I know many writers fight fanatically to keep their published self separate from their private reality… But I've always thought of that as something out of our social, time-serving side; not our true artistic ones. I don't see how the "lies" we write and the "lies" we live can or should be divided. They are seamless, one canvas, for me. While we live we can keep them apart, but not command the future to do the same. The outrage some Thomas Hardy fans have shown over all the revelations about the private man seems to me hypocritical in the extreme. They hugely enrich our understanding of him… I have had to convince a number of friends and relatives that the kindest act to the \[writer\] is remembering them - and that all art comes from a human being, not out of mysterious thin air. (Letter to Jo Jones, September 15, 1980, arguing for the preservation of John Collier's personal papers)”” [John Fowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fowles/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that an artist’s public work and private life are inseparable, and that exposing personal truth enriches understanding of the creator. **In simple terms:** Art and life are intertwined; truth about the artist matters. Key Takeaway Embrace the whole person, not just the public persona. Themes authenticity art privacy truth hypocrisy Mood reflective critical thoughtful Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - publishing decisions - archival preservation - biographical research - public reception - ethical criticism Key Concepts artist identity public vs private self literary criticism Questions to Reflect On - How does knowing an artist’s private life change your perception of their work? - Is it possible to appreciate art without personal context? A Different Perspective Separating art from the artist can oversimplify and diminish the work’s depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Friends And Relatives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friends-and-relatives/) [Lies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lies/) [True artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-artist/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“There's a big difference between us. I write non-fiction, you write fiction. I write truths that tell lies. 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I don't see how the \"lies\" we write and the \"lies\" we live can or should be divided. They are seamless, one canvas, for me. While we live we can keep them apart, but not command the future to do the same. The outrage some Thomas Hardy fans have shown over all the revelations about the private man seems to me hypocritical in the extreme. They hugely enrich our understanding of him… I have had to convince a number of friends and relatives that the kindest act to the [writer] is remembering them - and that all art comes from a human being, not out of mysterious thin air. 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