--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Democracy with its semi-civilization…" description: "\"Democracy with its semi-civilization sincerely cherishes junk. The artist's power should be spiritual. But the power of the majorityis material. When t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/745/paul-klee-4253_art_democracy-with-its-semi-civilization-sin_845987.jpg" --- # Democracy with its semi-civilization sincerely cherishes… ![“Democracy with its semi-civilization sincerely cherishes junk. The artist's power should be spiritual. But the power of the majorityis material. When these worlds meet occasionally, it ispure coincidence.” quote by Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/745/paul-klee-4253_art_democracy-with-its-semi-civilization-sin_845987.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/745/paul-klee-4253_art_democracy-with-its-semi-civilization-sin_845987.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/745/paul-klee-4253_art_democracy-with-its-semi-civilization-sin_845987.jpg) > “Democracy with its semi-civilization sincerely cherishes junk. The artist's power should be spiritual. But the power of the majorityis material. When these worlds meet occasionally, it ispure coincidence.” [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote contrasts spiritual artistic power with material majority rule, suggesting their rare encounters are coincidental. **In simple terms:** Art is spiritual, majority is material; their meetings are chance. Key Takeaway Recognize the tension between spiritual ideals and material forces. Themes art spirituality society power coincidence Mood reflective critical Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - cultural criticism - art education - public policy - community dialogue Key Concepts aesthetic philosophy political theory Questions to Reflect On - How does material power influence artistic expression? - Can spiritual values shape democratic decisions? A Different Perspective The claim may overgeneralize majority motives as purely material. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Artist Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist-power-694740/) [Civilization Sincerely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization-sincerely-694739/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Democracy Semi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy-semi-694737/) [Great saying by great authors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-saying-by-great-authors/) [Majorityis Material](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/majorityis-material-694738/) ## Related quotes > [Democracy with its semi-civilization sincerely cherishes junk. The artists power should be spiritual. But the power of the majority is material. When these worlds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/democracy-with-its-semi-civilization-sincerely-cherishes-junk-the/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [The procedure we are pursuing is that of true democracy. Semi-democracy accepts the dictatorship of a majority in establishing its arbitrary, ergo, unnatural, laws.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/the-procedure-we-are-pursuing-is-that-of-true-democracy-semi/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [You know you have made it as an artist when you have the power to say no.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raftaar/you-know-you-have-made-it-as-an-artist-when-you-have-the-power-to-say/) [Raftaar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raftaar/) > [The artist has the power to signoff the work by deconstructing the work itself: I've finished this work now and I'll sign it and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-turk/the-artist-has-the-power-to-signoff-the-work-by-deconstructing-the/) [Gavin Turk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-turk/) > [What marks the artist is his power to shape the material of pain we all have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-trilling/what-marks-the-artist-is-his-power-to-shape-the-material-of-pain-we/) [Lionel Trilling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-trilling/) > [Art does not, like science, set forth a permanent order of nature, the enduring skeleton of law. Two factors primarily determine its works: one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-edward-woodberry/art-does-not-like-science-set-forth-a-permanent-order-of-nature-the/) [George Edward Woodberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-edward-woodberry/) > [Who but the artist has the power to open man up, to set free the imagination? The others - priest, teacher, saint, statesman, warrior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/who-but-the-artist-has-the-power-to-open-man-up-to-set-free-the/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [Beauty is for the artist something outside all orders of rank, because in beauty opposites are tamed; the highest sign of power, namely power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/beauty-is-for-the-artist-something-outside-all-orders-of-rank-because/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [I'm focusing on writing the best story I can write. Which means I'm doing everything I can to give the artist within me as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/i-m-focusing-on-writing-the-best-story-i-can-write-which-means-i-m/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [In retirement, I look for days off from my days off. Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/in-retirement-i-look-for-days-off-from-my-days-off-mason-cooley/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [She who does not know she isa patient lies Within a tent of green, and sleeps without a sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-kirkup/she-who-does-not-know-she-isa-patient-lies-within-a-tent-of-green-and/) [James Kirkup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-kirkup/) > [The great must submit to the dominion of prudence and of virtue, or none will long submit to the dominion of thegreat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/the-great-must-submit-to-the-dominion-of-prudence-and-of-virtue-or/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [Maria. Nay, but say true, doesit work upon him? Sir Toby Belch. Like aqua vitae with a midwife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/maria-nay-but-say-true-doesit-work-upon-him-sir-toby-belch-like-aqua/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [The lumberers rarely trouble themselves to put out their fires, such is the dampness of the primitive forest; and this is one cause, no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-lumberers-rarely-trouble-themselves-to-put-out-their-fires-such/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Rosalind. Well, this is the forest of Arden. Touchstone. Ay, now am I in Arden, the more fool I. When I was at home,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/rosalind-well-this-is-the-forest-of-arden-touchstone-ay-now-am-i-in/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) ## More by Paul Klee > [Art makes something a lot more visible or audible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/art-makes-something-a-lot-more-visible-or-audible/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [The creation lives as genesis beneath the visible surface of the work. All intelligent people see this after the fact, but only the creative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/the-creation-lives-as-genesis-beneath-the-visible-surface-of-the-work/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [The more horrible this world (as today, for instance), the more abstract our art, whereas a happy world brings forth an art of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/the-more-horrible-this-world-as-today-for-instance-the-more-abstract/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [Children also have artistic ability, and there is wisdom in there having it! The more helpless they are, the more instructive are the examples…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/children-also-have-artistic-ability-and-there-is-wisdom-in-there/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [Color is the place where our brain and the universe meet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/color-is-the-place-where-our-brain-and-the-universe-meet/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [See with one eye, feel with the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/see-with-one-eye-feel-with-the-other/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [“After all, it's rather difficult to achieve the exact minimum, and it involves risks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/after-all-it-s-rather-difficult-to-achieve-the-exact-minimum-and-it/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [The worst state of affairs is when science begins to concern itself with art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/the-worst-state-of-affairs-is-when-science-begins-to-concern-itself/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [What my art probably lacks is a kind of passionate humanity... There is no sensuous relationship, not even the noblest, between myself and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/what-my-art-probably-lacks-is-a-kind-of-passionate-humanity-there-is/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [The pictorial work was born of movement, is itself recorded movement, and is assimilated through movement (eye muscles).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/the-pictorial-work-was-born-of-movement-is-itself-recorded-movement/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [Democracy with its semi-civilization sincerely cherishes junk. The artists power should be spiritual. But the power of the majority is material. When these worlds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/democracy-with-its-semi-civilization-sincerely-cherishes-junk-the/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [My hand is entirely the implement of a distant sphere. It is not my head that functions but something else, something higher, something somewhere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/my-hand-is-entirely-the-implement-of-a-distant-sphere-it-is-not-my/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [I have a clear view of 12 years of history of my inner self. First the cramped self, that self with big blinkers, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/i-have-a-clear-view-of-12-years-of-history-of-my-inner-self-first-the/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [When looking at any significant work of art, remember that a more significant one probably has had to be sacrificed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/when-looking-at-any-significant-work-of-art-remember-that-a-more/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [Colour has taken hold of me; no longer do I have to chase after it. I know that it has hold of me forever.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/colour-has-taken-hold-of-me-no-longer-do-i-have-to-chase-after-it-i/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) [Explore all 111 Paul Klee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) ## 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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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": "Democracy with its semi-civilization sincerely cherishes junk. The artist's power should be spiritual. But the power of the majorityis material. When these worlds meet occasionally, it ispure coincidence.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paul Klee" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/democracy-with-its-semi-civilization-sincerely-cherishes-junk-the-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/democracy-with-its-semi-civilization-sincerely-cherishes-junk-the-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/745/paul-klee-4253_art_democracy-with-its-semi-civilization-sin_845987.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/745/paul-klee-4253_art_democracy-with-its-semi-civilization-sin_845987.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/745/paul-klee-4253_art_democracy-with-its-semi-civilization-sin_845987.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Democracy with its semi-civilization sincerely cherishes junk. The artist's power should be spiritual. But…” — Paul Klee", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Paul Klee", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Democracy with its semi-civilization sincerely cherishes...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/democracy-with-its-semi-civilization-sincerely-cherishes-junk-the-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/democracy-with-its-semi-civilization-sincerely-cherishes-junk-the-2/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```