Art Quote by W.H. Auden
““Part came from Lane, and part from D.H. Lawrence; Gide, though I didn't know it then, gave part. They taught me to express my deep abhorrence If I caught anyone preferring Art To Life and Love and being Pure-in-heart. I lived with crooks but seldom was molested; The Pure-in-heart can never be arrested.””
About This Quote
A critique of those who prioritize aesthetic or moral purity over lived experience, asserting that genuine integrity cannot be suppressed by external forces.
In simple terms: Condemnation of art‑over‑life idealism
Key Takeaway
Purity resists oppression
Themes
authenticity
moral integrity
art vs life
social conformity
individualism
Mood
defiant
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
cultural
personal
When to use this quote
- artistic circles
- moral debates
- personal relationships
- legal encounters
Key Concepts
integrity
social critique
personal experience
Practical Applications
- philosophical essays
- cultural criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to be 'pure-in-heart' in a corrupt society?
- How does valuing art over life affect personal responsibility?
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