Skip to content

Art Quote by Marcel Proust

“It's far more difficult to disfigure a great work of art than to create one.” quote by Marcel Proust
Download Open image
““It's far more difficult to disfigure a great work of art than to create one.””

Marcel Proust

About This Quote

Source Book: In Search of Lost Time, 1913

Creating great art is easier than deliberately damaging it; the former requires inspiration, the latter requires malice.

In simple terms: Damaging art is harder than making it.

Key Takeaway

Respect creative effort.

Themes

art creation destruction ethics integrity

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • museum curation
  • art criticism
  • restoration
  • political propaganda

Key Concepts

aesthetics philosophy creative process

Questions to Reflect On

  • What responsibilities do creators have to protect their work?
  • When is alteration justified?
A Different Perspective

It may ignore that some art is intentionally provocative.

3.2 out of 5 (6 ratings)

More by Marcel Proust

Explore all 1,113 Marcel Proust quotes

More Art quotes

Browse all 48,643 Art quotes