Art Quote by Tom Stoppard
““I learned three things in Zurich during the war. I wrote them down. Firstly, you’re either a revolutionary or you’re not, and if you’re not you might as well be an artist as anything else. Secondly, if you can’t be an artist, you might as well be a revolutionary... I forget the third thing.””
About This Quote
Source Play: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, 1966
A wartime reflection on identity, suggesting one must choose between revolutionary action or artistic expression, with a forgotten third insight.
In simple terms: Choose a path: revolution or art.
Key Takeaway
Embrace your chosen role fully.
Themes
identity
choice
war
art
revolution
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- political activism
- creative work
- self‑discovery
- wartime decision‑making
Key Concepts
existentialism
personal responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- Which role aligns with your deepest values?
- Can you integrate both revolutionary and artistic impulses?
A Different Perspective
The binary view oversimplifies complex identities.
