Adversity Quote by Quentin S. Crisp
“I'm constantly struggling with the futility and even sinfulness, from an antinatalist point of view, of creativity. And that struggle itself seems part of the creativity, though I sometimes suspect that it's nothing but a burden and an obstacle.”
About This Quote
From an antinatalist view, creative effort feels futile or sinful, yet the struggle itself may be integral to creativity, though it can also seem burdensome.
In simple terms: Creativity feels burdensome yet essential from a nihilistic view.
Key Takeaway
Accept struggle as part of creative process.
Themes
existentialism
creativity
burden
meaning
philosophy
Mood
conflicted
reflective
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writing
- visual arts
- personal projects
- philosophical inquiry
Key Concepts
antinatalism
artistic motivation
psychological conflict
Questions to Reflect On
- What gives your creative work purpose?
- How can you reframe struggle as motivation?
A Different Perspective
Viewing creativity as burden may hinder productivity.
![“If we do want to do that [ colonise space to survive, ], then vacuous materialism is not going to be enough for us.” quote by Quentin S. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8c5/quentin-s-crisp-4149_enough_if-we-do-want-to-do-that-colonise-space_40648.jpg)
![“This is the strange thing about existing in time. As [Philip] Larkin puts it, "truly, though our element is time, we are not used to the strange perspectives open at each moment of our lives" - something like that.” quote by Quentin S. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/351/quentin-s-crisp-4149_elements_this-is-the-strange-thing-about-existing_83503.jpg)
![“[william] Burroughs, incidentally, took up the slogan that we are "Here to go", which contradicts the tendency in Eastern mysticism to advocate staying where you are because there's nowhere to go anyway. I feel conflicted on this one.” quote by Quentin S. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aa0/quentin-s-crisp-4149_burroughs_william-burroughs-incidentally-took-up-t_122911.jpg)
![“I also remember a line from a song by Smog [Bill Callahan], which seems to describe the experience of a town-dweller moving to the country: "I was raised in a pit of snakes/Blink your eyes - I was raised on cake."” quote by Quentin S. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/950/quentin-s-crisp-4149_bills_i-also-remember-a-line-from-a-song-by-sm_299534.jpg)
