Ambition Quote by Saul Leiter
“I have a deep-seated distrust and even contempt for people who are driven by ambition to conquer the world … those who cannot control themselves and produce vast amounts of crap that no one cares about. I find it unattractive. I like the Zen artists: they’d do some work, and then they’d stop for a while.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Art magazine, 2000s
The speaker distrusts ambitious, uncontrolled creators producing meaningless output, preferring disciplined, measured artistic work like Zen artists.
In simple terms: Unrestrained ambition can lead to low‑quality work; restraint yields depth.
Key Takeaway
Value purposeful, disciplined creation.
Themes
art
ambition
discipline
zen
quality
Mood
contemplative
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- artist residencies
- creative workshops
- personal productivity strategies
- critical reviews
Key Concepts
Aesthetic philosophy
creative restraint
mindful practice
Questions to Reflect On
- How can artists balance drive with restraint?
- What practices foster mindful creation?
A Different Perspective
Some ambition drives innovation despite excess.
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