--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Anything can be misinterpreted. People…" description: "\"Anything can be misinterpreted. People can look at Christ on a cross and think, This is an image of murder, this is violent, this has sexual imagery in..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b4/marilyn-manson-565_artist_anything-can-be-misinterpreted-people-ca_3095870.jpg" --- # Anything can be misinterpreted. People can look at Christ… ![“Anything can be misinterpreted. People can look at Christ on a cross and think, This is an image of murder, this is violent, this has sexual imagery in it. And it just - I think it's my job as an artist to be out there pushing people's buttons and making them question everything.” quote by Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b4/marilyn-manson-565_artist_anything-can-be-misinterpreted-people-ca_3095870.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b4/marilyn-manson-565_artist_anything-can-be-misinterpreted-people-ca_3095870.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2b4/marilyn-manson-565_artist_anything-can-be-misinterpreted-people-ca_3095870.jpg) > “Anything can be misinterpreted. People can look at Christ on a cross and think, This is an image of murder, this is violent, this has sexual imagery in it. And it just - I think it's my job as an artist to be out there pushing people's buttons and making them question everything.” [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Art should provoke and challenge perceptions, even if it confronts sacred symbols. **In simple terms:** Art provokes by questioning norms. Key Takeaway Use art to spark critical thought. Themes art provocation religion interpretation culture Mood controversial thought‑provoking Type artistic cultural When to use this quote - gallery shows - public installations - media commentary - education Key Concepts Aesthetics iconoclasm social critique Questions to Reflect On - How far should art go in challenging sacred symbols? - What responsibilities do artists have to audiences? A Different Perspective Provocation may alienate audiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buttons/) [Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ/) [Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cross/) [Cross Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cross-think-1178005/) [Crosses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crosses/) [Imagery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagery/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Looks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looks/) [Misinterpreted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/misinterpreted/) [Misinterpreted People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/misinterpreted-people-5343980/) [Murder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/murder/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Pushing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pushing/) [Sexual Imagery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sexual-imagery-3900012/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Violent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violent/) ## Related quotes > [I do have a lot of sexual imagery in my performance. But I don't think it's ever encouraging anyone to have sex. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/i-do-have-a-lot-of-sexual-imagery-in-my-performance-but-i-don-t-think/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [Like Robert Mapplethorpe, Helmut Newton, and so many others before me, sexual imagery has always been a part of my photography.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-richardson/like-robert-mapplethorpe-helmut-newton-and-so-many-others-before-me/) [Terry Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-richardson/) > [To live in a culture in which women are routinely naked where men aren't is to learn inequality in little ways all day long.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-wolf/to-live-in-a-culture-in-which-women-are-routinely-naked-where-men-2/) [Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-wolf/) > [Think lightly of hell, and you will think lightly of the cross. Think little of the sufferings of lost souls, and you will soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/think-lightly-of-hell-and-you-will-think-lightly-of-the-cross-think/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [Look to the cross, think of the cross, meditate on the cross, and then go and set your affections on the world if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/look-to-the-cross-think-of-the-cross-meditate-on-the-cross-and-then/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [The purpose of coming across the bridge in life is to cross over and not to think over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-purpose-of-coming-across-the-bridge-in-life-is-to-cross-over-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think people have always misinterpreted my self-destructive nature as nihilistic, because if you don't care about the world, you can't create art. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/i-think-people-have-always-misinterpreted-my-self-destructive-nature/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [As far as the performance goes, I want to create an atmosphere, and use 5.1 sound and imagery and shape and form to transform…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/as-far-as-the-performance-goes-i-want-to-create-an-atmosphere-and-use/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [You just make the best movie you can and hope for the best, because you don't have any control over what happens with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregg-araki/you-just-make-the-best-movie-you-can-and-hope-for-the-best-because/) [Gregg Araki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregg-araki/) > [These activities can be misconstrued, misinterpreted, and used to harm you as an individual, even without the government having any intent to do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/these-activities-can-be-misconstrued-misinterpreted-and-used-to-harm/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [Obviously all religions get corrupted by man. The initial ideas are interesting but once they get organized they seem to become about politics and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-dillon/obviously-all-religions-get-corrupted-by-man-the-initial-ideas-are/) [Matt Dillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-dillon/) > [Publishing a book is like stuffing a note into a bottle and hurling it into the sea. Some bottles drown, some come safe to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/publishing-a-book-is-like-stuffing-a-note-into-a-bottle-and-hurling/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [Marie Antoinette was funny, I'm sure she was just misinterpreted. You know the 'Let them eat cake' line. She seems like she was kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-quinn/marie-antoinette-was-funny-i-m-sure-she-was-just-misinterpreted-you/) [Colin Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-quinn/) > [“Serial Killer Week got off to an inauspicious start when the opening wine and bean evening was invaded by a former prisoner who misinterpreted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-bateman/serial-killer-week-got-off-to-an-inauspicious-start-when-the-opening/) [Colin Bateman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-bateman/) > [In these great times which I knew when they were this small; which will become small again, provided they have time left for it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/in-these-great-times-which-i-knew-when-they-were-this-small-which/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) ## More by Marilyn Manson > [I don't want to have a gravestone. I want to have all my friends burn me and then snort the ashes. I think that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/i-don-t-want-to-have-a-gravestone-i-want-to-have-all-my-friends-burn/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [As a kid I had buck teeth and braces and acne. I hated what I saw. I'm still not comfortable, but that's why I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/as-a-kid-i-had-buck-teeth-and-braces-and-acne-i-hated-what-i-saw-i-m/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [A pill to make you numb, a pill to you make you dumb, a pill to make you anybody else, but all the drugs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/a-pill-to-make-you-numb-a-pill-to-you-make-you-dumb-a-pill-to-make/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [Rock n roll is about drugs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/rock-n-roll-is-about-drugs/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [I refuse to say things behind people's backs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/i-refuse-to-say-things-behind-people-s-backs/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [Having an avatar doesn't give you an identity, and having a persona online doesn't make you a personality either.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/having-an-avatar-doesn-t-give-you-an-identity-and-having-a-persona/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [When you get to heaven, you will wish you were in hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/when-you-get-to-heaven-you-will-wish-you-were-in-hell/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [In any story, the villain is the catalyst. The hero's not a person who will bend the rules or show the cracks in his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/in-any-story-the-villain-is-the-catalyst-the-hero-s-not-a-person-who/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [When I was stalking my special lady friend on MySpace, people would always say, 'Is this really Marilyn Manson or some kind of psycho?'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/when-i-was-stalking-my-special-lady-friend-on-myspace-people-would/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [Growing up going to Christian school and the concept that you're born a sinner and you don't really have a choice to change who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/growing-up-going-to-christian-school-and-the-concept-that-you-re-born/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [Man is still at the learning stage, and mankind is so arrogant to think that he's the highest form of evolution on earth. There's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/man-is-still-at-the-learning-stage-and-mankind-is-so-arrogant-to/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [He's just simply John5 because he's the fifth person that we've hired. In the future, everyone will have numbers instead of names](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/he-s-just-simply-john5-because-he-s-the-fifth-person-that-we-ve-hired/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [Part of me is afraid to get close to people because I'm afraid that they're going to leave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/part-of-me-is-afraid-to-get-close-to-people-because-i-m-afraid-that/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [My mom was always a big fan of Elvis. She made me listen to Elvis when I was a kid. I hated it. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/my-mom-was-always-a-big-fan-of-elvis-she-made-me-listen-to-elvis-when/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [I'm completely unlike a lot of other performers in the past who have been forgiven or come to terms with the real world because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/i-m-completely-unlike-a-lot-of-other-performers-in-the-past-who-have/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) [Explore all 469 Marilyn Manson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) ## More Artist quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [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/) > [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/) > [“People in coats and ties were milling around the Talley gallery, and on the wall were the minimally rendered still lifes by Giorgio Morandi,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/people-in-coats-and-ties-were-milling-around-the-talley-gallery-and/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [“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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [From as long as I can remember, I was always fond of drawing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-lucia/from-as-long-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-fond-of-drawing/) [St. Lucia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-lucia/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. 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This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [I am not the avant-garde. I am the artist who comes after the advancing guard. I am more concerned with continuity of ideas and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-oliveira/i-am-not-the-avant-garde-i-am-the-artist-who-comes-after-the/) [Nathan Oliveira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-oliveira/) > [I am a horrible visual artist. I can't fix a car, sew, knit, cook, etc. Statistically, there is more I don't do than do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-brownstein/i-am-a-horrible-visual-artist-i-can-t-fix-a-car-sew-knit-cook-etc/) [Carrie Brownstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-brownstein/) [Browse all 32,600 Artist quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Anything can be misinterpreted. People can look at Christ on a cross and think, This is an image of murder, this is violent, this has sexual imagery in it. 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