Absorption Quote by Tom Stoppard
“To be an artist at all is like living in Switzerland during a world war. To be an artist in Zurich, in 1917, implies a degree of self-absorption that would have glazed over the eyes of Narcissus.”
About This Quote
Source Play: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, 1966
Being an artist in a neutral, insulated environment feels detached from the surrounding turmoil, leading to self‑absorption.
In simple terms: Artists can feel isolated from reality.
Key Takeaway
Recognize external context.
Themes
art
isolation
self‑absorption
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- war reporting
- creative retreats
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
existentialism
neutrality
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your environment shape your work?
- Can neutrality hinder artistic relevance?
A Different Perspective
Artists may ignore broader societal issues.
![“The mathematical education of the young physicist [Albert Einstein] was not very solid, which I am in a good position to evaluate since he obtained it from me in Zurich some time ago.” quote by Hermann Minkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c88/hermann-minkowski-55458_albert-einstein_the-mathematical-education-of-the-young_548481.jpg)
![“[Pope Francis]sees a world in need of the Gospel, and of friendship with Jesus Christ, as an antidote to the self-absorption and loneliness that are eating away at the solidarity of the human community.” quote by George Weigel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/79d/george-weigel-9372_absorption_pope-francis-sees-a-world-in-need-of-the_343248.jpg)