--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I stopped drinking a few years ago, and…" description: "\"I stopped drinking a few years ago, and drinking was a big help with me making music, because drinking gives you courage. But it also makes you reckles..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f3/robert-wyatt-8333_courage_i-stopped-drinking-a-few-years-ago-and-d_3110071.jpg" --- # I stopped drinking a few years ago, and drinking was a big… ![“I stopped drinking a few years ago, and drinking was a big help with me making music, because drinking gives you courage. But it also makes you reckless, and that's the trouble. You can get away with that your 20s, but not in your 60s, and I'll be 70 next year. Life is a small space now, much more…” quote by Robert Wyatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f3/robert-wyatt-8333_courage_i-stopped-drinking-a-few-years-ago-and-d_3110071.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f3/robert-wyatt-8333_courage_i-stopped-drinking-a-few-years-ago-and-d_3110071.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f3/robert-wyatt-8333_courage_i-stopped-drinking-a-few-years-ago-and-d_3110071.jpg) > “I stopped drinking a few years ago, and drinking was a big help with me making music, because drinking gives you courage. But it also makes you reckless, and that's the trouble. You can get away with that your 20s, but not in your 60s, and I'll be 70 next year. Life is a small space now, much more intimate. I'm not out there in the world anymore, but I'm watching.” [Robert Wyatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-wyatt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Alcohol once boosted artistic confidence but led to recklessness; aging demands caution. **In simple terms:** Alcohol helped creativity but caused risk. Key Takeaway Balance creative drive with health and responsibility. Themes creativity addiction aging health Mood introspective reflective Type personal philosophical When to use this quote - studio recording - mental health support - career planning - mentor guidance - personal reflection Key Concepts psychology of risk-taking artistic expression longevity Questions to Reflect On - What non‑substance sources inspire your art? - How does age change your creative process? A Different Perspective Some may find alternative sources of courage. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ago Drinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ago-drinking-5428824/) [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Drinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drinking/) [Drinking Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drinking-years-3671623/) [Get away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/get-away/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Intimate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intimate/) [Making Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-music/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Music Drinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-drinking-3199870/) [Music is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-is/) [Next year](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/next-year/) [Reckless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reckless/) [Stopped Drinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stopped-drinking-449565/) [Trouble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trouble/) [Wine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wine/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [Years ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-ago/) ## Related quotes > [Drinking was a big help with me making music, because drinking gives you courage. 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I spent many late nights playing music, drinking beer, and eating Taco Bell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-hayes/i-was-35-years-old-and-not-in-the-best-of-shape-i-spent-many-late/) [Bryan Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-hayes/) > [If I'm not making music, I am drinking coffee, eating sushi, having a panic attack about anything and everything, reading articles about the likelihood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-koma/if-i-m-not-making-music-i-am-drinking-coffee-eating-sushi-having-a/) [Matthew Koma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-koma/) > [I'm actually doing a show. from my shed. on the internet. but it won't be music or anything, it's more to do with drinking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-clarke/i-m-actually-doing-a-show-from-my-shed-on-the-internet-but-it-won-t/) [Vince Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-clarke/) > [I like Irish pubs, except for all the loud music and drinking, and people acting like idiots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dov-davidoff/i-like-irish-pubs-except-for-all-the-loud-music-and-drinking-and/) [Dov Davidoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dov-davidoff/) > [If I did all the stuff I've been accused of - or credited with - there's no way I could make all this music.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-jourgensen/if-i-did-all-the-stuff-i-ve-been-accused-of-or-credited-with-there-s/) [Al Jourgensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-jourgensen/) > [I stopped drinking alcohol, which probably was the biggest change. I used to be a very big beer drinker. Being from England, that's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wade-barrett/i-stopped-drinking-alcohol-which-probably-was-the-biggest-change-i/) [Wade Barrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wade-barrett/) > [“There’s something purely foolish about attending any large gathering of men and women without benefit of some kind of philter or magic dust to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/there-s-something-purely-foolish-about-attending-any-large-gathering/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [“Two days before she went to New York, Jacaranda stopped drinking.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eve-babitz/two-days-before-she-went-to-new-york-jacaranda-stopped-drinking/) [Eve Babitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eve-babitz/) > [I haven't been drinking for years now. Something's got to give. I don't mind that I'm a guy that's stopped drinking, though this interview…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-hicks/i-haven-t-been-drinking-for-years-now-something-s-got-to-give-i-don-t/) [Dan Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-hicks/) > [When I stopped drinking, it was only because I thought if I don't stop, I'm going to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/when-i-stopped-drinking-it-was-only-because-i-thought-if-i-don-t-stop/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [I've stopped drinking, but only while I'm asleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-best/i-ve-stopped-drinking-but-only-while-i-m-asleep/) [George Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-best/) > [I stopped drinking when I had children because I wanted to be awake and aware. I did not want to be going, you know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-williams/i-stopped-drinking-when-i-had-children-because-i-wanted-to-be-awake/) [Robin Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-williams/) > [I stopped drinking on 24 September 1986.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-skinner/i-stopped-drinking-on-24-september-1986/) [Frank Skinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-skinner/) ## More by Robert Wyatt > [There are people I would like to work with. Its a bit harder, because I live out in the sticks anyway, and plus being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-wyatt/there-are-people-i-would-like-to-work-with-its-a-bit-harder-because-i/) [Robert Wyatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-wyatt/) > [It was physically difficult, adjusting to wheelchair life, but I remember a great relief and happiness that I was finally getting somewhere, finding musicians…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-wyatt/it-was-physically-difficult-adjusting-to-wheelchair-life-but-i/) [Robert Wyatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-wyatt/) > [Even if you're specific about the character of the song, it's more exciting to place them, juxtapose them in such a way as to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-wyatt/even-if-you-re-specific-about-the-character-of-the-song-it-s-more/) [Robert Wyatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-wyatt/) > [In theory, I'd like to work in a group. 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I wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-wyatt/i-looked-at-what-adults-were-doing-and-how-they-wanted-to-earn-money/) [Robert Wyatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-wyatt/) > [I prefer the mystic clouds of nostalgia to the real thing, to be honest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-wyatt/i-prefer-the-mystic-clouds-of-nostalgia-to-the-real-thing-to-be-honest/) [Robert Wyatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-wyatt/) > [In the past, so many of my records, really, have been sketches for records that never really got made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-wyatt/in-the-past-so-many-of-my-records-really-have-been-sketches-for/) [Robert Wyatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-wyatt/) > [It just doesn't mean anything to me, the high-profile, big money side of things. I just want enough to live on, and to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-wyatt/it-just-doesn-t-mean-anything-to-me-the-high-profile-big-money-side/) [Robert Wyatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-wyatt/) [Explore all 82 Robert Wyatt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-wyatt/) ## More Courage quotes > [The greatest act of courage is to be and to ownall of who you are—without apology, without excuses, without masks to cover the truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-ford/the-greatest-act-of-courage-is-to-be-and-to-ownall-of-who-you-are/) [Debbie Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-ford/) > [“It takes tremendous courage, persistence, and perseverance to pursue your ultimate purpose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/it-takes-tremendous-courage-persistence-and-perseverance-to-pursue/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [“Yes, the issue was courage. It always had been, even as a kid. Things scared him. He couldn't help it. Noise scared him, dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-brien/yes-the-issue-was-courage-it-always-had-been-even-as-a-kid-things/) [Tim O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-brien/) > [Our young Marines of today are courageous, willing to make sacrifices, and are marvelous team players. I am confident our Corps, and indeed our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-t-conway/our-young-marines-of-today-are-courageous-willing-to-make-sacrifices/) [James T. Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-t-conway/) > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [“Tranquillity is courage in repose. It is a statical manifestation of valor, as daring deeds are a dynamical. A truly brave man is ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/inazo-nitobe/tranquillity-is-courage-in-repose-it-is-a-statical-manifestation-of/) [Inazo Nitobe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/inazo-nitobe/) > [When you heed the calling of your heart, you are following your purpose. Having purpose in your life gives you the courage to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-britten/when-you-heed-the-calling-of-your-heart-you-are-following-your/) [Rhonda Britten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-britten/) > [“Of all the train, none escaped except Wamba, who showed upon the occasion much more courage than those who pretended to greater sense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/of-all-the-train-none-escaped-except-wamba-who-showed-upon-the/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-four-cs-of-making-dreams-come-true-curiosity-courage-consistency/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [Certainly these are not easy times. But history does not contain very many easy times. Years from now, we will look back at this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/certainly-these-are-not-easy-times-but-history-does-not-contain-very/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [Have the courage to go against the tide of current values that do not conform to the path of Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/have-the-courage-to-go-against-the-tide-of-current-values-that-do-not/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [“There is nothing purer, braver, or more beautiful than the try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-armstrong/there-is-nothing-purer-braver-or-more-beautiful-than-the-try/) [Kristen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-armstrong/) > [“One theory on cannibals, of course, is that they eat parts of their slain enemies to benefit from that person's greatest assets - their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-powell/one-theory-on-cannibals-of-course-is-that-they-eat-parts-of-their/) [Julie Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-powell/) > [It is a tragedy that we live in a world where physical courage is so common, and moral courage is so rare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/it-is-a-tragedy-that-we-live-in-a-world-where-physical-courage-is-so/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [I have pictures with Morimoto where I'm all embarrassed and he's so serious, it took me 30 minutes to get up the courage to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcela-valladolid/i-have-pictures-with-morimoto-where-i-m-all-embarrassed-and-he-s-so/) [Marcela Valladolid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcela-valladolid/) [Browse all 14,559 Courage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I stopped drinking a few years ago, and drinking was a big help with me making music, because drinking gives you courage. 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