Art Quote by John Gardner
““True artists, whatever smiling faces they may show you, are obsessive, driven people--whether driven by some mania or driven by some high, noble vision need not presently concern us. Anyone who has worked both as artist and as professor can tell you, that he works differently in his two styles. No one is more careful, more scrupulously honest, devoted to his personal vision of the ideal, than a good professor trying to write a book about the Gilgamesh. He may write far into the night, he may avoid parties, he may feel pangs of guilt about having spent too little time with his family. Nevertheless, his work is no more like an artist's work than the work of a first-class accountant is like that of an athlete contending for a championship.””
About This Quote
Artists are obsessively driven by personal vision, while professors apply similar dedication to scholarly work, though the contexts differ.
In simple terms: Artists and scholars both work intensely, but in different ways.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the shared intensity across creative and academic pursuits.
Themes
creativity
dedication
professionalism
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
observational
comparative
When to use this quote
- artistic creation
- academic writing
- balancing work and family
- night work
Key Concepts
obsession
vision
scholarship
Questions to Reflect On
- How does personal vision shape both art and scholarship?
- What sacrifices are justified for creative or academic excellence?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overgeneralize the similarity between art and academia.
![“[Great creative minds] think like artists but work like accountants.” quote by Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9b7/cal-newport-1302_art_great-creative-minds-think-like-artists_721303.jpg)
