--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can sand something forever. You can…" description: "\"You can sand something forever. You can keep working on it. All the arts are like that: there's no magical finish line. You get sick of working on it o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/687/samuel-ervin-beam-6217_art_you-can-sand-something-forever-you-can-k_531240.jpg" --- # You can sand something forever. You can keep working on… ![“You can sand something forever. You can keep working on it. All the arts are like that: there's no magical finish line. You get sick of working on it or you walk away.” quote by Samuel Ervin Beam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/687/samuel-ervin-beam-6217_art_you-can-sand-something-forever-you-can-k_531240.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/687/samuel-ervin-beam-6217_art_you-can-sand-something-forever-you-can-k_531240.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/687/samuel-ervin-beam-6217_art_you-can-sand-something-forever-you-can-k_531240.jpg) > “You can sand something forever. You can keep working on it. All the arts are like that: there's no magical finish line. You get sick of working on it or you walk away.” [Samuel Ervin Beam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-ervin-beam/) ## 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 highlights that creative work is endless; there is no perfect completion, only continual refinement and eventual fatigue. **In simple terms:** Art never truly ends; you either tire or stop. Key Takeaway Accept imperfection and know when to pause. Themes creativity perfectionism process Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - painting - writing - software development - design projects - musical composition Key Concepts artistic pursuit infinite refinement Questions to Reflect On - When do you decide a project is good enough? - How can you balance refinement with completion? A Different Perspective The idea of a “magical finish line” can discourage finishing tasks, leading to perpetual revisions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Finish line](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finish-line/) ## Related quotes > [“She was tired of being afraid, so impossibly weary of her own fears that a part of her wanted to sit on the quite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-shors/she-was-tired-of-being-afraid-so-impossibly-weary-of-her-own-fears/) [John Shors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-shors/) > [There are people working in arts organizations who feel that in recent years there has been a sacrifice of quality and excellence in favor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munira-mirza/there-are-people-working-in-arts-organizations-who-feel-that-in/) [Munira Mirza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munira-mirza/) > [“I'll wait for you at the finish line.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-schroeder/i-ll-wait-for-you-at-the-finish-line/) [Lisa Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-schroeder/) > [When you cross the finish line, it will change your life forever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-beardsley/when-you-cross-the-finish-line-it-will-change-your-life-forever/) Dick Beardsley > [In that he didn't die at the finish line, he could have run faster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-noakes/in-that-he-didn-t-die-at-the-finish-line-he-could-have-run-faster/) [Tim Noakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-noakes/) > [You know what's fun about basketball? It keeps evolving, and it keeps changing a little bit. And the older guys want to try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-d-antoni/you-know-what-s-fun-about-basketball-it-keeps-evolving-and-it-keeps/) [Mike D'Antoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-d-antoni/) > [“Beyond ‘done’ is where difference is made—the finish line for most is the starting line for greatness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farshad-asl/beyond-done-is-where-difference-is-made-the-finish-line-for-most-is/) [Farshad Asl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/farshad-asl/) > [“You wouldn’t train for a marathon & then give up a mile before the finish line. Same goes with your life & dreams.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-gluskin/you-wouldn-t-train-for-a-marathon-then-give-up-a-mile-before-the/) [Dawn Gluskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-gluskin/) > [“As your training integrates Mind, Body and Spirit, enjoy the process. Your journey to the marathon finish will last a few hours. Your journey…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-greenlee/as-your-training-integrates-mind-body-and-spirit-enjoy-the-process/) [Gina Greenlee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-greenlee/) > [I should just stay composed and run to the finish line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asafa-powell/i-should-just-stay-composed-and-run-to-the-finish-line/) [Asafa Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asafa-powell/) > [“You’re not a pit stop. You’re my finish line. There’s no one after you... “I want you for eternity, not for a brief moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krista-ritchie/you-re-not-a-pit-stop-you-re-my-finish-line-there-s-no-one-after-you/) [Krista Ritchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krista-ritchie/) > [“Don't worry about the finish line. Don't question what you're doing. Just quiet your mind and keep up the pace.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-reinhardt/don-t-worry-about-the-finish-line-don-t-question-what-you-re-doing/) [Dana Reinhardt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-reinhardt/) > [I am not the kind of designer who is racing to the finish line, so while collaborations are important for our growth, each and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prabal-gurung/i-am-not-the-kind-of-designer-who-is-racing-to-the-finish-line-so/) [Prabal Gurung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prabal-gurung/) > [“Winners run through the finish line. End your day with passion and enthusiasm.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/butch-bellah/winners-run-through-the-finish-line-end-your-day-with-passion-and/) [Butch Bellah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/butch-bellah/) > [Every Finish Line is the beginning of a new race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-finish-line-is-the-beginning-of-a-new-race/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Samuel Ervin Beam > [I love to sell records, but that's not what I'm into.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-ervin-beam/i-love-to-sell-records-but-that-s-not-what-i-m-into/) [Samuel Ervin Beam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-ervin-beam/) > [I don't write Plastic Ono Band stuff, though I love that record.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-ervin-beam/i-don-t-write-plastic-ono-band-stuff-though-i-love-that-record/) [Samuel Ervin Beam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-ervin-beam/) > [As a listener, I like shorter records, because you can really absorb the songs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-ervin-beam/as-a-listener-i-like-shorter-records-because-you-can-really-absorb/) [Samuel Ervin Beam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-ervin-beam/) > [I like to make fun records. Contrary to popular belief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-ervin-beam/i-like-to-make-fun-records-contrary-to-popular-belief/) [Samuel Ervin Beam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-ervin-beam/) > [I learn something with each record and take that into the next one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-ervin-beam/i-learn-something-with-each-record-and-take-that-into-the-next-one/) [Samuel Ervin Beam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-ervin-beam/) > [Religion is a huge part of our consciousness. I grew up in the Bible Belt, so it's our mythology. Those are the stories we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-ervin-beam/religion-is-a-huge-part-of-our-consciousness-i-grew-up-in-the-bible/) [Samuel Ervin Beam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-ervin-beam/) > [Every time I play with a new musician I absorb something, even if it's someone you don't like!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-ervin-beam/every-time-i-play-with-a-new-musician-i-absorb-something-even-if-it-s/) [Samuel Ervin Beam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-ervin-beam/) > [I don't really listen to a lot of stuff that sounds real similar to me because I work on that kind of music all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-ervin-beam/i-don-t-really-listen-to-a-lot-of-stuff-that-sounds-real-similar-to/) [Samuel Ervin Beam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-ervin-beam/) > [I like ones that pertain to the music they make. Talking Heads does that somehow. More often than not band names are just a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-ervin-beam/i-like-ones-that-pertain-to-the-music-they-make-talking-heads-does/) [Samuel Ervin Beam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-ervin-beam/) > [I don't advertise what I do to my kids. I don't go around waving a flag. I'm sure they are proud, in a certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-ervin-beam/i-don-t-advertise-what-i-do-to-my-kids-i-don-t-go-around-waving-a/) [Samuel Ervin Beam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-ervin-beam/) > [I'm pretty easy going. I can be anyway. I definitely have my moments. You can ask my kids. But I try to be nice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-ervin-beam/i-m-pretty-easy-going-i-can-be-anyway-i-definitely-have-my-moments/) [Samuel Ervin Beam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-ervin-beam/) > [A lot of the big-budget movies, craft-wise, are amazing, but have a boring story. And the indies have their idiosyncrasies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-ervin-beam/a-lot-of-the-big-budget-movies-craft-wise-are-amazing-but-have-a/) [Samuel Ervin Beam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-ervin-beam/) > [I like to keep working and keep changing. It's a hopeful, optimistic thing to think and sit about what you could do next. Maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-ervin-beam/i-like-to-keep-working-and-keep-changing-it-s-a-hopeful-optimistic/) [Samuel Ervin Beam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-ervin-beam/) > [I was drawn to painting and filmmaking because I was interested in communicating visually, which spills over into my tendencies as a writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-ervin-beam/i-was-drawn-to-painting-and-filmmaking-because-i-was-interested-in/) [Samuel Ervin Beam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-ervin-beam/) > [Every musician that comes along teaches me something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-ervin-beam/every-musician-that-comes-along-teaches-me-something/) [Samuel Ervin Beam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-ervin-beam/) [Explore all 99 Samuel Ervin Beam quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-ervin-beam/) ## 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 > [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": "You can sand something forever. 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