Attitude Quote by Marcel Duchamp
“I became a librarian at the Sainte-Genevieve Library in Paris. I made this gesture to rid myself of a certain milieu, a certain attitude, to have a clean conscience, but also to make a living. I was twenty-five. I had been told that one must make a living, and I believed it.”
About This Quote
An artist rationalizes becoming a librarian as a means to escape a certain social circle and earn a livelihood, reflecting personal and economic motives.
In simple terms: He became a librarian to leave a milieu and earn money.
Key Takeaway
Change environments for personal integrity and income.
Themes
art
career
identity
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
biographical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career transition
- artistic identity
- financial stability
Key Concepts
self‑redefinition
economic necessity
social mobility
Questions to Reflect On
- Why did he feel the need to change?
- What does this say about the artist’s values?
A Different Perspective
May overlook deeper artistic motivations beyond practicality.
