--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My whole life has been a twenty years…" description: "\"My whole life has been a twenty years struggle between poetry and prose, or, if you like to call it so, Music and Law.\" — Robert Schumann" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f8/robert-schumann-11519_has-beens_my-whole-life-has-been-a-twenty-years-st_1586216.jpg" --- # My whole life has been a twenty years struggle between… ![“My whole life has been a twenty years struggle between poetry and prose, or, if you like to call it so, Music and Law.” quote by Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f8/robert-schumann-11519_has-beens_my-whole-life-has-been-a-twenty-years-st_1586216.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f8/robert-schumann-11519_has-beens_my-whole-life-has-been-a-twenty-years-st_1586216.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f8/robert-schumann-11519_has-beens_my-whole-life-has-been-a-twenty-years-st_1586216.jpg) > “My whole life has been a twenty years struggle between poetry and prose, or, if you like to call it so, Music and Law.” [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker sees life as a conflict between artistic expression and structured discipline. **In simple terms:** Struggle between creativity and order. Key Takeaway Balance creative and analytical pursuits. Themes creativity discipline conflict Mood reflective thoughtful Type personal philosophical When to use this quote - career planning - artistic projects - legal studies - personal development Key Concepts art law music structure Questions to Reflect On - Can you integrate poetry and prose? - How do you resolve artistic tension? A Different Perspective Balancing both may cause burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Poetry Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry-prose-591716/) [Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prose/) [Struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle/) [Struggle Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle-poetry-3193049/) [Whole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole/) [Whole life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole-life/) [Years Struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-struggle-326004/) ## Related quotes > [My whole life has been a struggle between Poetry and Prose, or call it Music and Law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/my-whole-life-has-been-a-struggle-between-poetry-and-prose-or-call-it/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Gil Thorpe is a great diversion and is to book writing as poetry is to prose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-b-jenkins/gil-thorpe-is-a-great-diversion-and-is-to-book-writing-as-poetry-is/) [Jerry B. Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-b-jenkins/) > [When we share - that is poetry in the prose of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/when-we-share-that-is-poetry-in-the-prose-of-life/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) > [Poets seem to write more easily about love than prose writers. For a start, they own that flexible ‘I’…. Then again, poets seem able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-barnes/poets-seem-to-write-more-easily-about-love-than-prose-writers-for-a/) [Julian Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-barnes/) > [Eloquence is the poetry of prose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-c-bryant/eloquence-is-the-poetry-of-prose/) [William C. Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-c-bryant/) > [All those authors there, most of whom of course I've never met. That's the poetry side, that's the prose side, that's the fishing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-maccaig/all-those-authors-there-most-of-whom-of-course-i-ve-never-met-that-s/) [Norman MacCaig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-maccaig/) > [“Lover of poetry, prose and procrastination.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-fitzsimons/lover-of-poetry-prose-and-procrastination/) [Stephen Fitzsimons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-fitzsimons/) > [There are few greater treasures to be acquired in youth than great poetry-and prose-stored in the memory. At the time one may resent the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-livingstone/there-are-few-greater-treasures-to-be-acquired-in-youth-than-great/) [Richard Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-livingstone/) > [Poetry is prose, bent out of shape.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-patrick-lewis/poetry-is-prose-bent-out-of-shape/) [J. Patrick Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-patrick-lewis/) > [I guess I find the boundaries between poetry and prose to be somewhat permeable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-powers/i-guess-i-find-the-boundaries-between-poetry-and-prose-to-be-somewhat/) [Kevin Powers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-powers/) > [I've learned about marrying poetry and prose and making both accessible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-woodson/i-ve-learned-about-marrying-poetry-and-prose-and-making-both/) [Jacqueline Woodson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-woodson/) > [Now, at the end of three years struggle the nation's condition is not what either party, or any man devised, or expected. God alone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/now-at-the-end-of-three-years-struggle-the-nation-s-condition-is-not/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [It is only after years of struggle and deprivation that the young artist should touch color - and then only in the company of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/el-greco/it-is-only-after-years-of-struggle-and-deprivation-that-the-young/) [El Greco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/el-greco/) > [“I had my share of struggle, but I cannot complain because I owe my success to the years of struggle.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-taskinsoy/i-had-my-share-of-struggle-but-i-cannot-complain-because-i-owe-my/) [John Taskinsoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-taskinsoy/) > [After ten years of struggle I reached somewhere, and then I see some people pulling me down. I tell myself that if this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yo-yo-honey-singh/after-ten-years-of-struggle-i-reached-somewhere-and-then-i-see-some/) [Yo Yo Honey Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yo-yo-honey-singh/) ## More by Robert Schumann > [“By means of industry and perseverance you will rise higher and higher.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/by-means-of-industry-and-perseverance-you-will-rise-higher-and-higher/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [When you play, never mind who listens to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/when-you-play-never-mind-who-listens-to-you/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [A fiery, good beginner always stands higher than a master in mediocrity...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/a-fiery-good-beginner-always-stands-higher-than-a-master-in-mediocrity/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Music induces nightingales to sing, pug dogs to yelp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/music-induces-nightingales-to-sing-pug-dogs-to-yelp/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [To compose is to remember music that has never been written.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/to-compose-is-to-remember-music-that-has-never-been-written/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Play always as if in the presence of a master.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/play-always-as-if-in-the-presence-of-a-master/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [You should neither play bad compositions, nor, unless compelled, listen to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/you-should-neither-play-bad-compositions-nor-unless-compelled-listen/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [If, while at the piano, you attempt to form little melodies, that is very well; but if they come into your mind of themselves,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/if-while-at-the-piano-you-attempt-to-form-little-melodies-that-is/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Art was not created as a way to riches. Strive to become a true artist; all else will take care of itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/art-was-not-created-as-a-way-to-riches-strive-to-become-a-true-artist/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Music - so different from painting - is the art which we enjoy most in company with others. A symphony, presented in a room…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/music-so-different-from-painting-is-the-art-which-we-enjoy-most-in/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Believe me, were I ever to accomplish anything, it would be in music, which has always attracted me; and, without overestimating myself, I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/believe-me-were-i-ever-to-accomplish-anything-it-would-be-in-music/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [We shouldn't repeat the same for ages on end, but look into the new as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/we-shouldn-t-repeat-the-same-for-ages-on-end-but-look-into-the-new-as/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [The poet sees better than other mortals. I do not see things as they are, but according to my own subjective impression, and this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/the-poet-sees-better-than-other-mortals-i-do-not-see-things-as-they/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [Without enthusiasm nothing great can be effected in art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/without-enthusiasm-nothing-great-can-be-effected-in-art/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) > [That first concept is alway the most naturally and best. The mind errs, the emotion never.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/that-first-concept-is-alway-the-most-naturally-and-best-the-mind-errs/) [Robert Schumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) [Explore all 59 Robert Schumann quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/) ## More Has beens quotes > [Whatever meaning 'Annie's Song' had for me on a personal level, there was also a larger context. 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It has been engaged in everywhere, from the dregs of society to the most respectable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-l-bernstein/gambling-has-held-human-beings-in-thrall-for-millennia-it-has-been/) [Peter L. Bernstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-l-bernstein/) > [And I have been very blessed, having coached some of the greatest that have ever played the game. But if I had to start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-auerbach/and-i-have-been-very-blessed-having-coached-some-of-the-greatest-that/) [Red Auerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-auerbach/) > [My folks tried to make a preacher of me and missed by a narrow margin… I would have made a good one if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/my-folks-tried-to-make-a-preacher-of-me-and-missed-by-a-narrow-margin/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Here's the reality. The image of a white Jesus has been used to justify enslavement, conquest, colonialism, the genocide of indigenous peoples. There are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/here-s-the-reality-the-image-of-a-white-jesus-has-been-used-to/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) > [A lot of people have been saying 'The 100' reminds them of 'Lord Of The Flies,' 'Lost' and 'Battlestar Galactica,' and all of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-avgeropoulos/a-lot-of-people-have-been-saying-the-100-reminds-them-of-lord-of-the/) [Marie Avgeropoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-avgeropoulos/) > [I've long believed one of the mainsprings of our own liberty has been the widespread ownership of property among our people and the expectation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-ve-long-believed-one-of-the-mainsprings-of-our-own-liberty-has-been/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [During the last 17 years... 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Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) [Browse all 17,972 Has beens quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My whole life has been a twenty years struggle between poetry and prose, or, if you like to call it so, Music and Law.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert Schumann" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/my-whole-life-has-been-a-twenty-years-struggle-between-poetry-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Has beens" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/my-whole-life-has-been-a-twenty-years-struggle-between-poetry-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f8/robert-schumann-11519_has-beens_my-whole-life-has-been-a-twenty-years-st_1586216.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f8/robert-schumann-11519_has-beens_my-whole-life-has-been-a-twenty-years-st_1586216.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f8/robert-schumann-11519_has-beens_my-whole-life-has-been-a-twenty-years-st_1586216.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My whole life has been a twenty years struggle between poetry and prose, or, if you like to call it so…” — Robert Schumann", "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": "Robert Schumann", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schumann/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "My whole life has been a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/my-whole-life-has-been-a-twenty-years-struggle-between-poetry-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schumann/my-whole-life-has-been-a-twenty-years-struggle-between-poetry-and/#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 } } ] } ```