--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We need art. We've been telling stories…" description: "\"We need art. We've been telling stories since the beginning. As human beings, we need it for our survival.\" — Lili Taylor" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/943/lili-taylor-25346_art_we-need-art-we-ve-been-telling-stories-s_2546107.png" --- # We need art. We've been telling stories since the… ![“We need art. We've been telling stories since the beginning. As human beings, we need it for our survival.” quote by Lili Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/943/lili-taylor-25346_art_we-need-art-we-ve-been-telling-stories-s_2546107.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/943/lili-taylor-25346_art_we-need-art-we-ve-been-telling-stories-s_2546107.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/943/lili-taylor-25346_art_we-need-art-we-ve-been-telling-stories-s_2546107.png) > “We need art. We've been telling stories since the beginning. As human beings, we need it for our survival.” [Lili Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lili-taylor/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Art is a fundamental human need, essential for storytelling and survival across cultures. **In simple terms:** Art is vital for human survival and storytelling. Key Takeaway Cultivate creative expression. Themes creativity survival culture Mood inspired thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - education - community projects - personal healing - media production Key Concepts psychology anthropology art history Questions to Reflect On - How does art influence mental health? - What role does storytelling play in cultural identity? A Different Perspective Art may be undervalued in utilitarian societies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Survival](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/survival/) [Telling stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/telling-stories/) ## Related quotes > [Survival of the fittest is over. Get over it. We need survival of the wisest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/survival-of-the-fittest-is-over-get-over-it-we-need-survival-of-the/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [And when reality denies you the tools you need for survival you grab them from wherever you can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/and-when-reality-denies-you-the-tools-you-need-for-survival-you-grab/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [In SW1 you don't really need survival skills, you just exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-toffolo/in-sw1-you-don-t-really-need-survival-skills-you-just-exist/) [Georgia Toffolo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-toffolo/) > [“It’s amazing how many times we need to go against our survival instincts to survive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-ee/it-s-amazing-how-many-times-we-need-to-go-against-our-survival/) [susan ee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-ee/) > [All people want on this earth is to connect with others. Other than eating and sleeping. Human beings need to connect with other human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-field/all-people-want-on-this-earth-is-to-connect-with-others-other-than/) [Sally Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-field/) > [Whatever it is that people find that they want to work on they also have to remember that they are human beings and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-castillo/whatever-it-is-that-people-find-that-they-want-to-work-on-they-also/) [Ana Castillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-castillo/) > [I think that we, as human beings, always need to conquer our fears and reach beyond our grasp and I think it's very important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-nolan/i-think-that-we-as-human-beings-always-need-to-conquer-our-fears-and/) [Jonathan Nolan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-nolan/) > [I think what human beings need is to be able to laugh at the absurd, hold on to ambiguity, and learn to love nuance,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tavi-gevinson/i-think-what-human-beings-need-is-to-be-able-to-laugh-at-the-absurd/) [Tavi Gevinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tavi-gevinson/) > [“What we want, what we need, what we must have are indispensable human beings. We need original thinkers, provocateurs, and people who care... Every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-frey/what-we-want-what-we-need-what-we-must-have-are-indispensable-human/) [Chuck Frey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-frey/) > [Human beings need to belong to a tradition and equally need to know about the world in which they find themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-gunn-allen/human-beings-need-to-belong-to-a-tradition-and-equally-need-to-know/) [Paula Gunn Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-gunn-allen/) > [It's an adversarial world outside of the safety of nirvana and enlightenment. In life, all beings need to feed on other beings just in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/it-s-an-adversarial-world-outside-of-the-safety-of-nirvana-and/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Human beings need stories, and we're looking for them in all kinds of places; whether it's television, whether it's comic books or movies, radio…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-auster/human-beings-need-stories-and-we-re-looking-for-them-in-all-kinds-of/) [Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-auster/) > [Beneath the surface of states and nations, ideas and language, lies the fate of individual human beings in need. Answering their needs will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/beneath-the-surface-of-states-and-nations-ideas-and-language-lies-the/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [We are resilient beings and need to realize our incredible strengths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/we-are-resilient-beings-and-need-to-realize-our-incredible-strengths/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [As human beings, we need to know that we are not alone, that we are not crazy or completely out of our minds, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/as-human-beings-we-need-to-know-that-we-are-not-alone-that-we-are-not/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) ## More by Lili Taylor > [I tried to do the commercial thing. But I don't want to keep shoving Twinkies down everyone's throat. People are hungry for something of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lili-taylor/i-tried-to-do-the-commercial-thing-but-i-don-t-want-to-keep-shoving/) [Lili Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lili-taylor/) > [The weird thing about this business - and I'm sure this operates in many other things, but it's very present and acute in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lili-taylor/the-weird-thing-about-this-business-and-i-m-sure-this-operates-in/) [Lili Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lili-taylor/) > [I haven't gotten stuck with something because I just keep going, and I keep doing different things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lili-taylor/i-haven-t-gotten-stuck-with-something-because-i-just-keep-going-and-i/) [Lili Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lili-taylor/) > [Two things I'm trying to work on are openness and flexibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lili-taylor/two-things-i-m-trying-to-work-on-are-openness-and-flexibility/) [Lili Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lili-taylor/) > [It's been very important for me to follow my gut or my heart, or whichever organ you want to go by.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lili-taylor/it-s-been-very-important-for-me-to-follow-my-gut-or-my-heart-or/) [Lili Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lili-taylor/) > [Doors of opportunity don't open, they unlock; it is up to you to turn the knob.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lili-taylor/doors-of-opportunity-don-t-open-they-unlock-it-is-up-to-you-to-turn/) [Lili Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lili-taylor/) > [I felt that the biological clock was some myth to keep me from doing what I wanted to do. And so I rebelled against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lili-taylor/i-felt-that-the-biological-clock-was-some-myth-to-keep-me-from-doing/) [Lili Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lili-taylor/) > [I see my job as an actor to be as good a channel as I can be. Acting is a gift, and I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lili-taylor/i-see-my-job-as-an-actor-to-be-as-good-a-channel-as-i-can-be-acting/) [Lili Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lili-taylor/) > [When it's working, what acting is really about is getting into the essence of a moment in a creative, joyous way - through whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lili-taylor/when-it-s-working-what-acting-is-really-about-is-getting-into-the/) [Lili Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lili-taylor/) > [If someone puts up $100 million on a movie, they're gonna be concerned about whether they'll get it back. So they're not gonna make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lili-taylor/if-someone-puts-up-100-million-on-a-movie-they-re-gonna-be-concerned/) [Lili Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lili-taylor/) > [As a woman, a lot of stories haven't been told and we've got a lot of catching up to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lili-taylor/as-a-woman-a-lot-of-stories-haven-t-been-told-and-we-ve-got-a-lot-of/) [Lili Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lili-taylor/) > [The world is full of guys. Be a man. Don't be a guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lili-taylor/the-world-is-full-of-guys-be-a-man-don-t-be-a-guy/) [Lili Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lili-taylor/) > [I like to play smart, three-dimensional women. I also like to play roles where the women are a little crazy. I just have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lili-taylor/i-like-to-play-smart-three-dimensional-women-i-also-like-to-play/) [Lili Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lili-taylor/) > [It's tricky to say 'never,' but I will never have plastic surgery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lili-taylor/it-s-tricky-to-say-never-but-i-will-never-have-plastic-surgery/) [Lili Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lili-taylor/) > [I guess the characters I play may be at the more destructive edge of the spectrum, more damaged or whatever, but I find a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lili-taylor/i-guess-the-characters-i-play-may-be-at-the-more-destructive-edge-of/) [Lili Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lili-taylor/) [Explore all 23 Lili Taylor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lili-taylor/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We need art. 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