--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I do not like to be a prophet. I like…" description: "\"I do not like to be a prophet. I like better to paint than to predict what the next painters will do. Though I have a feeling that consideration of ord..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b7/josef-albers-9747_air_i-do-not-like-to-be-a-prophet-i-like-bet_74512.jpg" --- # I do not like to be a prophet. I like better to paint than… ![“I do not like to be a prophet. I like better to paint than to predict what the next painters will do. Though I have a feeling that consideration of order is very much in the air.” quote by Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b7/josef-albers-9747_air_i-do-not-like-to-be-a-prophet-i-like-bet_74512.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b7/josef-albers-9747_air_i-do-not-like-to-be-a-prophet-i-like-bet_74512.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b7/josef-albers-9747_air_i-do-not-like-to-be-a-prophet-i-like-bet_74512.jpg) > “I do not like to be a prophet. I like better to paint than to predict what the next painters will do. Though I have a feeling that consideration of order is very much in the air.” [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker prefers creative expression over forecasting, emphasizing the value of artistic intuition and the prevailing sense of structural awareness. **In simple terms:** Art over prediction Key Takeaway Create, don’t forecast Themes creativity intuition artistic process uncertainty order Mood reflective inspired thoughtful Type philosophical artistic observational When to use this quote - artist planning a series - designer envisioning a collection - teacher guiding students - curator selecting works - researcher exploring patterns Key Concepts visual art future thinking aesthetic judgment Practical Applications - artistic education - creative brainstorming Questions to Reflect On - How does focusing on creation change your approach to uncertainty? - What role does order play in artistic decisions? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Consideration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consideration/) [Contemporary art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemporary-art/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Painter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painter/) [Painters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painters/) [Painting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painting/) [Prophet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prophet/) ## Related quotes > [Take any path you like; follow any prophet you like; but have only that method which suits your own nature, so that you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/take-any-path-you-like-follow-any-prophet-you-like-but-have-only-that/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“Then he raised his voice in a prophet-like challenge that I knew would live with me forever: "Don't ever give up in freedom what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nik-ripkin/then-he-raised-his-voice-in-a-prophet-like-challenge-that-i-knew/) [Nik Ripkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nik-ripkin/) > [“Let’s appreciate and welcome the arrival of a new prophet The one who can be Reasonable and rational Realistic and democrat The one who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/let-s-appreciate-and-welcome-the-arrival-of-a-new-prophet-the-one-who/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [The Lord your God will raise up a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything He tells you. Anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moses/the-lord-your-god-will-raise-up-a-prophet-like-me-from-among-your-own/) [Moses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moses/) > [“Part of me hates that you know me so well." "And the other part?" Prophet gave a faint grin, then said quietly, "Loves it,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-e-jakes/part-of-me-hates-that-you-know-me-so-well-and-the-other-part-prophet/) [S.E. Jakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-e-jakes/) > [I pictured myself in a Denver bar that night, with all the gang, and in their eyes I would be strange and ragged and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/i-pictured-myself-in-a-denver-bar-that-night-with-all-the-gang-and-in/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [No no no! Don't clap! No no no, you make me seem like I'm like a prophet or something and I'm so not!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janeane-garofalo/no-no-no-don-t-clap-no-no-no-you-make-me-seem-like-i-m-like-a-prophet/) [Janeane Garofalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janeane-garofalo/) > [We must by every means humble our hearts and subdue our proud intellect, lest we should be like the contemporaries of the prophets, who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-kronstadt/we-must-by-every-means-humble-our-hearts-and-subdue-our-proud/) [John of Kronstadt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-kronstadt/) > [“Like what you see?” Prophet asked, his voice a quiet yet dangerous rumble, heavily laced with sarcasm. Even so, Tom answered him seriously. “Yes.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-e-jakes/like-what-you-see-prophet-asked-his-voice-a-quiet-yet-dangerous/) [S.E. Jakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-e-jakes/) > [Think like a prophet, serve like a priest, and plan like a king.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-keller/think-like-a-prophet-serve-like-a-priest-and-plan-like-a-king/) [Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-keller/) > [“So what, this is like a life lesson? Because I don’t like those,” Prophet had told him,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-e-jakes/so-what-this-is-like-a-life-lesson-because-i-don-t-like-those-prophet/) [S.E. Jakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-e-jakes/) > [“You can't just go around blurting out the truth like a prophet with Tourette's syndrome.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/you-can-t-just-go-around-blurting-out-the-truth-like-a-prophet-with/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) > [We have created indoor installations inside museums, like the Wrapped Floor at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago in 1968, and not monumental…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christo/we-have-created-indoor-installations-inside-museums-like-the-wrapped/) [Christo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christo/) > [The boundaries between contemporary art and cinema are so rigid. It's unbelievable. The film critics don't know my artwork and the art world doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-varda/the-boundaries-between-contemporary-art-and-cinema-are-so-rigid-it-s/) [Agnes Varda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-varda/) > [“Looking at and 'appreciating' art has been understood as an instrument (or at best a result) of upward mobility, in which owning art is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-r-lippard/looking-at-and-appreciating-art-has-been-understood-as-an-instrument/) [Lucy R. Lippard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-r-lippard/) ## More by Josef Albers > [We never really perceive what color is physically!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/we-never-really-perceive-what-color-is-physically/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [I paint the way I spread butter on pumpernickel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/i-paint-the-way-i-spread-butter-on-pumpernickel/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [I have taught my students not to apply rules or mechanical ways of seeing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/i-have-taught-my-students-not-to-apply-rules-or-mechanical-ways-of/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [If one says 'Red' – the name of color – and there are fifty people listening, it can be expected that there will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/if-one-says-red-the-name-of-color-and-there-are-fifty-people/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [Therefore art means: you have to believe, to have faith, that is, cultivate vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/therefore-art-means-you-have-to-believe-to-have-faith-that-is/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [The purpose of art is to re-present nature, not represent it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/the-purpose-of-art-is-to-re-present-nature-not-represent-it/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [It was my family that wanted me to be a teacher. That was safe, you see. To be a painter was terrible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/it-was-my-family-that-wanted-me-to-be-a-teacher-that-was-safe-you-see/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [We never really perceive what color really is, as it physically is. This fact makes color the most relative medium in art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/we-never-really-perceive-what-color-really-is-as-it-physically-is/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [Instead of art I have taught philosophy. Though technique for me is a big word, I never have taught how to paint. All my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/instead-of-art-i-have-taught-philosophy-though-technique-for-me-is-a/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [In order to use color effectively it is necessary to recognize that color deceives continually.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/in-order-to-use-color-effectively-it-is-necessary-to-recognize-that/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [Traditionally art is to create and not to revive. To revive: leave that to the historians, who are looking backward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/traditionally-art-is-to-create-and-not-to-revive-to-revive-leave-that/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [I want color and form to have contradictorily functions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/i-want-color-and-form-to-have-contradictorily-functions/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [Art is concerned with the HOW and not the WHAT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/art-is-concerned-with-the-how-and-not-the-what/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [In visual perception a color is almost never seen as it really is - as it physically is. This fact makes color the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/in-visual-perception-a-color-is-almost-never-seen-as-it-really-is-as/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [What has been said does not simply belong to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/what-has-been-said-does-not-simply-belong-to-us/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) [Explore all 70 Josef Albers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) ## More Air quotes > [I will be a tireless advocate for our District's defense priorities including Sheppard Air Force Base, Pantex, Bell Helicopter, universities conducting important research, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronny-jackson/i-will-be-a-tireless-advocate-for-our-district-s-defense-priorities/) [Ronny Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronny-jackson/) > [I have lifted my plane . . . for perhaps a thousand flights and I have never felt her wheels glide from the Earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beryl-markham/i-have-lifted-my-plane-for-perhaps-a-thousand-flights-and-i-have/) [Beryl Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beryl-markham/) > [If U.S. air, naval, missile, and ground forces were not in and around Korea, and if we were not treaty-bound to fight alongside South…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/if-u-s-air-naval-missile-and-ground-forces-were-not-in-and-around/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [The cooler days have brought a wistful mood upon him. The smell of coalsmoke in the air at night. Old times, dead years. For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cormac-mccarthy/the-cooler-days-have-brought-a-wistful-mood-upon-him-the-smell-of/) [Cormac McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cormac-mccarthy/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [I'm a candle flame that sways in currents of air you can't see. You need to be the one who steadies me to burn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadine-gordimer/i-m-a-candle-flame-that-sways-in-currents-of-air-you-can-t-see-you/) [Nadine Gordimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadine-gordimer/) > [It is sometimes said that scientists are unromantic, that their passion to figure out robs the world of beauty and mystery. But is it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/it-is-sometimes-said-that-scientists-are-unromantic-that-their/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [ Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs \[Less Developed Countries\]?... I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-summers/just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-world-bank-be-encouraging-more/) [Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-summers/) > [After a few mouthfuls of moon-flavored air, even the stubbornly drowsy can find themselves wide-eyed.. All the normal noises of life were gone, leaving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-d-wilson/after-a-few-mouthfuls-of-moon-flavored-air-even-the-stubbornly-drowsy/) [N.D. 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