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Art Quote by Joseph Conrad

“A work that aspires, however humbly, to the condition of art should carry its justification in every line...To snatch in a moment of courage, from the remorseless rush of time, a passing phase of life is only the beginning of the task. The task approached in tenderness and faith is to hold up…” quote by Joseph Conrad
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““A work that aspires, however humbly, to the condition of art should carry its justification in every line...To snatch in a moment of courage, from the remorseless rush of time, a passing phase of life is only the beginning of the task. The task approached in tenderness and faith is to hold up unquestioningly, without choice and without fear, the rescued fragment before all eyes and in the light of a sincere mood. It is to show its vibration, its colour, its form; and through its movement, its form, and its colour, reveal the substance of its truth -- disclose its inspiring secret: the stress and passion within the core of each convincing moment. In a single-minded attempt of that kind, if one be deserving and fortunate, one may perchance attain to such clearness of sincerity that at last the presented vision of regret or pity, of terror or mirth, shall awaken in the hearts of the beholders that feeling of unavoidable solidarity; of the solidarity in mysterious origin, in toil, in joy, in hope, in uncertain fate, which binds men to each other and all mankind to the visible world.””

Joseph Conrad

About This Quote

Source Book: The Secret Agent, Joseph Conrad, 1907

The writer should embed purpose and truth in every line, capturing fleeting moments with sincerity to evoke shared humanity.

In simple terms: Art must convey purpose and truth in each line.

Key Takeaway

Write with sincere purpose.

Themes

art truth humanity purpose emotion

Mood

reflective introspective

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • literary criticism
  • creative writing
  • teaching art
  • personal reflection

Key Concepts

existentialism aesthetic honesty empathy

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does sincerity affect reader connection?
  • Can art truly unite humanity?
A Different Perspective

May become overly abstract, losing concrete impact.

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