# Quotes about creativity - Quotes: 75 - Authors: 50 - Broader topic: [Quotes about imagination](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/imagination.md) - Narrower topics: [inspiration](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/inspiration.md) - Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity - JSON version (same data): https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.json ## Quotes > Conceive. That is the word that means both the beginning in imagination and the end in creation. [George Bernard Shaw](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw.md) · [Back to Methuselah](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw/back-to-methuselah.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw/back-to-methuselah/conceive-that-is-the.md) Topics: [imagination](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/imagination.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire; you will what you imagine; and at last you create what you will. [George Bernard Shaw](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw.md) · [Back to Methuselah](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw/back-to-methuselah.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw/back-to-methuselah/imagination-is-the.md) Topics: [imagination](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/imagination.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Perhaps I run because I need to feel creative. I need to know what is inside me and then see it realized somewhere outside me. We can explore our inner selves and know what we are capable of, but perhaps we also need to externalize that and separate it out from our bodies in order to view it as spectators, in order to evaluate it and see the defects so that we can do it again, better. It is a pleasure intrinsic to the creation of beauty. [Kilian Jornet Burgada](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kilian-jornet-burgada.md) · [Run or Die](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kilian-jornet-burgada/run-or-die.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kilian-jornet-burgada/run-or-die/perhaps-i-run.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Conflict does breed innovation, but so does diversity and cultural development. Bringing people together to share ideas is just as powerful a catalyst. [Wesley Chu](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wesley-chu.md) · [The Lives of Tao](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wesley-chu/the-lives-of-tao.md) · p. 325 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wesley-chu/the-lives-of-tao/conflict-does-breed.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md), [cooperation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cooperation.md) > Knowledge is not a substitute for ingenuity, merely an accelerant. [Catherine Webb](https://www.leafyquotes.com/catherine-webb.md) · [The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August](https://www.leafyquotes.com/catherine-webb/the-first-fifteen-lives-of-harry-august.md) · p. 224 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/catherine-webb/the-first-fifteen-lives-of-harry-august/knowledge-is-not.md) Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > All powers have two sides, the power to create and the power to destroy. We must recognize them both, but invest our gifts on the side of creation. [Robin Wall Kimmerer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer.md) · [Braiding Sweetgrass](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass.md) · p. 212 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robin-wall-kimmerer/braiding-sweetgrass/all-powers-have.md) Topics: [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > If your work can surprise you then you have started something worthwhile. [Ben Okri](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-okri.md) · [Dangerous Love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-okri/dangerous-love.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ben-okri/dangerous-love/if-your-work.md) Topics: [work](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/work.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Creativity is about connection — you must be connected to others in order to be inspired and share your own work — but it is also about disconnection. You must retreat from the world long enough to think, practice your art, and bring forth something worth sharing with others. You must play a little hide-and-seek in order to produce something worth being found. [Austin Kleon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon.md) · [Keep Going](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/keep-going.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/keep-going/creativity-is-about.md) Topics: [loneliness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loneliness.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > We all go through cycles of disenchantment and re-enchantment with our work. When you feel as though you've lost or you're losing your gift, the quickest way to recover is to step outside the marketplace and make gifts. There's nothing as pure as making something specifically for someone special. [Austin Kleon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon.md) · [Keep Going](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/keep-going.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/keep-going/we-all-go-through.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md), [gifts](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/gifts.md) > It's always a mistake to equate productivity and creativity. They are not the same. In fact, they're frequently at odds with each other: You're often most creative when you're the least productive. [Austin Kleon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon.md) · [Keep Going](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/keep-going.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/keep-going/its-always-a-mistake.md) Topics: [work](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/work.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Establishing and keeping a routine can be even more important than having a lot of time. Inertia is the death of creativity. You have to stay in the groove. [Austin Kleon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon.md) · [Steal Like an Artist](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/steal-like-an-artist.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/steal-like-an-artist/establishing-and-keeping.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md) > The way to get over creative block is to simply place some constraints on yourself. It seems contradictory, but when it comes to creative work, limitations mean freedom. [Austin Kleon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon.md) · [Steal Like an Artist](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/steal-like-an-artist.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/steal-like-an-artist/the-way-to-get.md) Topics: [freedom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/freedom.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > A wonderful flaw about human beings is that we're incapable of making perfect copies. Our failure to copy our heroes is where we discover where our own thing lives. That is how we evolve. [Austin Kleon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon.md) · [Steal Like an Artist](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/steal-like-an-artist.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/steal-like-an-artist/a-wonderful-flaw.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Don't worry about a grand scheme or unified vision for your work. [...] What unifies your work is the fact that you made it. One day, you'll look back and it will all make sense. [Austin Kleon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon.md) · [Steal Like an Artist](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/steal-like-an-artist.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/steal-like-an-artist/dont-worry-about.md) Topics: [work](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/work.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Be open, share imperfect and unfinished work that you want feedback on, but don't share absolutely everything. [...] The act of sharing is one of generosity— you're putting something out there because you think it might be helpful or entertaining to someone on the other side of the screen. [Austin Kleon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon.md) · [Show Your Work!](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/show-your-work.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/show-your-work/be-open-share.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md), [generosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/generosity.md) > "Dumpster diving" is one of the jobs of the artist— finding the treasure in other people's trash, sifting through the debris of our culture, paying attention to the stuff that everyone else is ignoring, and taking inspiration from the stuff that people have tossed aside for whatever reasons. [...] All it takes to uncover hidden gems is a clear eye, an open mind, and a willingness to search for inspiration in places other people aren't willing or able to go. [Austin Kleon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon.md) · [Show Your Work!](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/show-your-work.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/austin-kleon/show-your-work/dumpster-diving-is-one.md) Topics: [art](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/art.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Initially what is important is to be able to successfully make a useful object over which the maker can exclaim, with pleasure and amazement, 'I made this myself! [William Coperthwaite](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-coperthwaite.md) · [A Handmade Life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-coperthwaite/a-handmade-life.md) · p. 99 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-coperthwaite/a-handmade-life/initially-what-is-important.md) Topics: [work](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/work.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > When as a society we fail to help all people have confidence in their ability to create, we are doubly wasteful. First, we lose from society’s reservoir the creative potential of so many, and second we see those who are left out lose well-being and emotional security. [William Coperthwaite](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-coperthwaite.md) · [A Handmade Life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-coperthwaite/a-handmade-life.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-coperthwaite/a-handmade-life/when-as-a-society.md) Topics: [society](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/society.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Creativity, like society, thrives when the individual elements fit within, and add to, a bigger picture. [Will Gompertz](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz.md) · [Think Like an Artist](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz/think-like-an-artist.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz/think-like-an-artist/creativity-like-society.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > That’s how ideas are generated. Unusual combinations, mixing old and new, stimulate original ideas, that is, ideas with origins. [Will Gompertz](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz.md) · [Think Like an Artist](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz/think-like-an-artist.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz/think-like-an-artist/thats-how-ideas.md) Topics: [ideas](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ideas.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Creativity is a constant process of call and response taking place inside our heads. If all is going well, the question–answer routine is like the two sides of our brain working together as if in an inner-cranial pas de deux. [Will Gompertz](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz.md) · [Think Like an Artist](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz/think-like-an-artist.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz/think-like-an-artist/creativity-is-a-constant.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > The problem is, some of us have either convinced ourselves that we are not creative, or are yet to find our way. Confidence in our own creativity can wane. Which is bad. Confidence is crucial. In my experience artists, like a lot of us, fear being “found out.” But somehow they manage to summon up enough self-belief to overcome the self-doubt, which enables them to back their creativity. The Beatles were just a bunch of young lads with time on their hands who found the confidence to persuade themselves and then the world that they were musicians. [Will Gompertz](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz.md) · [Think Like an Artist](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz/think-like-an-artist.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz/think-like-an-artist/the-problem-is-some.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md), [self-confidence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/self-confidence.md) > If at first you don’t succeed, don’t try exactly the same thing again. You won’t succeed, again. Instead, have a think, evaluate, correct, modify and then try again. Creativity is an iterative process. [Will Gompertz](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz.md) · [Think Like an Artist](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz/think-like-an-artist.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz/think-like-an-artist/if-at-first.md) Topics: [mistakes](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/mistakes.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > To give up before we even start, using low self-esteem or lack of qualifications as an excuse, is, frankly, gutless. As human beings we are all born with not only the wherewithal to be creative, but also the need. [Will Gompertz](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz.md) · [Think Like an Artist](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz/think-like-an-artist.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz/think-like-an-artist/to-give-up-before.md) Topics: [courage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/courage.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > If necessity is the mother of invention, curiosity is the father. After all, you cannot produce something interesting if you are not interested in something. Outputs need inputs. [Will Gompertz](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz.md) · [Think Like an Artist](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz/think-like-an-artist.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/will-gompertz/think-like-an-artist/if-necessity-is-the.md) Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Children, everybody, here's what to do during war: In a time of destruction, create something. A poem. A parade. A community. A school. A vow. A moral principle. One peaceful moment. (Epilogue) [Maxine Hong Kingston](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maxine-hong-kingston.md) · [The Fifth Book of Peace](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maxine-hong-kingston/the-fifth-book-of-peace.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maxine-hong-kingston/the-fifth-book-of-peace/children-everybody-heres.md) Topics: [war](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/war.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > No lifetime is long enough for those who wish to create, Raul. Or for those who simply wish to understand themselves and their lives. It is, perhaps, the curse of being human, but also a blessing. [Dan Simmons](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dan-simmons.md) · [The Rise of Endymion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dan-simmons/the-rise-of-endymion.md) · p. 684 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/dan-simmons/the-rise-of-endymion/no-lifetime-is-long.md) Topics: [self-knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/self-knowledge.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > [C]ontradictions are culture’s engines, responsible for... creativity and dynamism... Just as... clashing musical notes... force... music forward.., discord in... thoughts, ideas and values compel us to think, reevaluate and criticise. Consistency is the playground of dull minds. [Yuval Noah Harari](https://www.leafyquotes.com/yuval-noah-harari.md) · [Sapiens](https://www.leafyquotes.com/yuval-noah-harari/sapiens.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/yuval-noah-harari/sapiens/c-ontradictions-are-cultures.md) Topics: [culture](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/culture.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > What you describe as the product of a mental imbalance, I would classify as swift, intuitive thinking to arrive at creative solutions. [Karen Lord](https://www.leafyquotes.com/karen-lord.md) · [The Best of All Possible Worlds](https://www.leafyquotes.com/karen-lord/the-best-of-all-possible-worlds.md) · p. 249 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/karen-lord/the-best-of-all-possible-worlds/what-you-describe.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > She worked quickly, but not because she considered the commission beneath her. It was simply the way she always approached her art. Preparation, forethought, hours of meditation, then an explosion of swift and decisive action, like the quick and merciful descent of a sword. Execution, in every sense of the word. [Alastair Reynolds](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alastair-reynolds.md) · [Blue Remembered Earth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alastair-reynolds/blue-remembered-earth.md) · p. 272 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alastair-reynolds/blue-remembered-earth/she-worked-quickly.md) Topics: [art](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/art.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > This, then, was the religion that I was raised with: veneration for human creativity and the power of ideas. [Ray Kurzweil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ray-kurzweil.md) · [The Singularity Is Near](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ray-kurzweil/the-singularity-is-near.md) · p. 2 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ray-kurzweil/the-singularity-is-near/this-then-was.md) Topics: [ideas](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ideas.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Discontent goaded the spirit into fresh creation. [Olaf Stapledon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/olaf-stapledon.md) · [Star Maker](https://www.leafyquotes.com/olaf-stapledon/star-maker.md) · p. 161 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/olaf-stapledon/star-maker/discontent-goaded-the.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > How many great problems have gone unsolved because men didn't know enough, or have enough faith in the creative process and in themselves, to let go for the whole mind to work at it? [Daniel Keyes](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-keyes.md) · [Flowers For Algernon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-keyes/flowers-for-algernon.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-keyes/flowers-for-algernon/how-many-great.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > The things we fear most in organizations - fluctuations, disturbances, imbalances - need not be signs ofan impending disorder that will destroy us. Instead, fluctuations are the primary source of creativity. [Margaret J. Wheatley](https://www.leafyquotes.com/margaret-j-wheatley.md) · [Leadership and the New Science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/margaret-j-wheatley/leadership-and-the-new-science.md) · p. 19 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/margaret-j-wheatley/leadership-and-the-new-science/the-things-we-fear.md) Topics: [change](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/change.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > The creativity that can occur when a feel for both the humanities and the sciences combine in one strong personality was the topic that most interested me in my biographies of Franklin and Einstein, and I believe that it will be a key to creating innovative economies in the twenty-first century. [Walter Isaacson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/walter-isaacson.md) · [Steve Jobs](https://www.leafyquotes.com/walter-isaacson/steve-jobs.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/walter-isaacson/steve-jobs/the-creativity-that.md) Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Whatever pain you can't get rid of, make it your creative offering. [Susan Cain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-cain.md) · [Bittersweet](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-cain/bittersweet.md) · p. 56 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-cain/bittersweet/whatever-pain-you.md) Topics: [suffering](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/suffering.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > It's not that pain equals art. It's that creativity has the power to look pain in the eye, and to decide to turn it into something better. ... The quest to transform pain into beauty is one of the great catalysts of artistic expression. [Susan Cain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-cain.md) · [Bittersweet](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-cain/bittersweet.md) · p. 61 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-cain/bittersweet/its-not-that.md) Topics: [suffering](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/suffering.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > (T)he bittersweet tradition spans centuries—it spans continents. And it teaches us that we are creatures who are born to transform pain into beauty. It also teaches us that our feelings of bittersweetness are some of the greatest gateways that we have to states of creativity and connection and love. [Susan Cain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-cain.md) · [Bittersweet](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-cain/bittersweet.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-cain/bittersweet/t-he-bittersweet-tradition.md) Topics: [suffering](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/suffering.md), [beauty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/beauty.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Solitude is out of fashion. Our companies, our schools and our culture are in thrall to an idea I call the New Groupthink, which holds that creativity and achievement come from an oddly gregarious place. [Susan Cain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-cain.md) · [Quiet](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-cain/quiet.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-cain/quiet/solitude-is-out.md) Topics: [loneliness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loneliness.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Beauty and ingenuity beat perfection hands down, every time. (p179) [Nalo Hopkinson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nalo-hopkinson.md) · [Sister Mine](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nalo-hopkinson/sister-mine.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nalo-hopkinson/sister-mine/beauty-and-ingenuity.md) Topics: [beauty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/beauty.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md), [perfectionism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/perfectionism.md) > All truly creative thought is in some sense intuitive; it demands a leap forward into the dark world of uncreated reality. Seen in this way, intuition is not the abdication of reason but rather reason speeded up, encapsulated in an instant, so that a solution appears without the usual laborious logical preparations. A creative genius comes back from this undiscovered country like ones of the heroes of antiquity, who has wrested something back from the gods and brought it to mankind. It is possible, perhaps, to see religious inspiration in a similar way. [Karen Armstrong](https://www.leafyquotes.com/karen-armstrong.md) · [Muhammad](https://www.leafyquotes.com/karen-armstrong/muhammad.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/karen-armstrong/muhammad/all-truly-creative.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Talent is not universal but it is widely spread: Give enough people the capacity to create, and inevitably gems will emerge. [Chris Anderson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chris-anderson.md) · [The Long Tail](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chris-anderson/the-long-tail.md) · p. 54 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chris-anderson/the-long-tail/talent-is-not.md) Topics: [talent](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/talent.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > The creative act requires both will and intelligence. Breaking things is easy. You only need a hammer. [Jack Mcdevitt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-mcdevitt.md) · [Odyssey](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-mcdevitt/odyssey.md) · p. 383 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-mcdevitt/odyssey/the-creative-act.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Art was about creation. That was its soul, its essence. Creation and order. You took something disorganized—a splash of ink, an empty page—and you built something from it. Something from nothing. The soul of creation. [Brandon Sanderson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson.md) · [The Way of Kings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/the-way-of-kings.md) · p. 948 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/the-way-of-kings/art-was-about.md) Topics: [art](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/art.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > A field of clay touched by the genius of man becomes a castle. [Og Mandino](https://www.leafyquotes.com/og-mandino.md) · [The Greatest Salesman in the World](https://www.leafyquotes.com/og-mandino/the-greatest-salesman-in-the-world.md) · p. 88 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/og-mandino/the-greatest-salesman-in-the-world/a-field-of-clay.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md), [genius](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/genius.md) > ’Because it means the end of innovation,’ Malcolm said. ‘This idea that the whole world is wired together is mass death. Every biologist knows that small groups in isolation evolve fastest. You put a thousand birds on an ocean island and they’ll evolve very fast. You put ten thousand on a big continent, and their evolution slows down. Now, for our own species, evolution occurs mostly through our behavior. We innovate new behavior to adapt. And everybody on earth knows that innovation only occurs in small groups. Put three people on a committee and they may get something done. Ten people, and it get harder. Thirty people, and nothing happens. Thirty million, it becomes impossible. That’s the effect of mass media—it keeps anything from happening. Mass media swamps diversity. It makes every place the same… Regional differences vanish. All differences vanish. In a mass-media world, there’s less of everything except the top ten books, records, movies, ideas. People worry about losing species diversity in the rain forest. But what about intellectual diversity—our most necessary resource. That’s disappearing faster than trees. [Michael Crichton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-crichton.md) · [The Lost World](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-crichton/the-lost-world.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-crichton/the-lost-world/because-it-means.md) Topics: [media](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/media.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md), [diversity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/diversity.md) > If you're waiting to have good ideas before you have any ideas, you won't have many ideas. [David Allen](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-allen.md) · [Getting Things Done](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-allen/getting-things-done.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-allen/getting-things-done/if-youre-waiting.md) Topics: [ideas](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ideas.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > [I]f it's just you, attempting to come up with a "good idea" before defining your purpose, creating a vision, and collecting lots of bad ideas is likely to give you a case of creative constipation. [David Allen](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-allen.md) · [Getting Things Done](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-allen/getting-things-done.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-allen/getting-things-done/i-f-its-just.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > To shine is better than to reflect. [Gregory Benford](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford.md) · [Timescape](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford/timescape.md) · p. 220 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford/timescape/to-shine-is-better.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > As Kurt Vonnegut pointed out in his first novel, Player Piano, some people love problem-solving and tinkering—and that is the final, irreducible driver of human history. Wars and faiths and leaders come and go, but the problem-solvers’ slow, steady work is the fulcrum upon which history turns. [Gregory Benford](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford.md) · [In Alien Flesh](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford/in-alien-flesh.md) · p. 104 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gregory-benford/in-alien-flesh/as-kurt-vonnegut.md) Topics: [history](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/history.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > People think that creativity is largely a matter of talent, experience, or luck. They are wrong. Talent, experience, and luck are all key elements, but there is something more fundamental, accessible, and powerful that you can use to multiply your creative effect. [Richard Koch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-koch.md) · [The 80/20 Individual](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-koch/the-8020-individual.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-koch/the-8020-individual/people-think-that.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > All the things that truly matter - beauty, love, creativity, joy, inner peace - arise from beyond the mind. [Eckhart Tolle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/eckhart-tolle.md) · [A New Earth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/eckhart-tolle/a-new-earth.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/eckhart-tolle/a-new-earth/all-the-things.md) Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [beauty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/beauty.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > The very essence of the creative is its novelty, and hence we have no standard by which to judge it. [Carl Rogers](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-rogers.md) · [On Becoming a Person](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-rogers/on-becoming-a-person.md) · p. 351 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-rogers/on-becoming-a-person/the-very-essence.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > What sometimes enrages me and always disappoints and grieves me is the preference of great schools of learning for the derivative as opposed to the original, for the conventional and thin which can be duplicated in many copies rather than the new and powerful, and for arid correctness and limitation of scope and method rather than for universal newness and beauty, wherever it may be seen. [Norbert Wiener](https://www.leafyquotes.com/norbert-wiener.md) · [The Human Use Of Human Beings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/norbert-wiener/the-human-use-of-human-beings.md) · p. 135 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/norbert-wiener/the-human-use-of-human-beings/what-sometimes-enrages.md) Topics: [education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/education.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Creating is always so much more stimulating than destroying. [José Saramago](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jose-saramago.md) · [The Cave](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jose-saramago/the-cave.md) · p. 107 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jose-saramago/the-cave/creating-is-always.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > "Think from outside the box, collapse the box and take a fucking knife to it." [Banksy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/banksy.md) · [Wall and Piece](https://www.leafyquotes.com/banksy/wall-and-piece.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/banksy/wall-and-piece/think-from-outside.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > I can’t stand to sing the same song the same way two nights in succession, let alone two years or ten years. If you can, then it ain’t music, it’s close-order drill or exercise or yodeling or something, not music. [Billie Holiday](https://www.leafyquotes.com/billie-holiday.md) · [Lady Sings the Blues](https://www.leafyquotes.com/billie-holiday/lady-sings-the-blues.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/billie-holiday/lady-sings-the-blues/i-cant-stand.md) Topics: [music](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/music.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > “And when a man or a woman climbs, Beauty, he or she can end up as high as the angels or higher.” > > “The saints,” I nodded, thinking I knew. > > “Oh, saints,” Puck said. “Whsst. Saints! Martyrs and virgins and what all. Relics in churches, and both the relic and the churches dead as brass. No. I’ll tell you who climbs. Gardeners climb. And farmers. And painters. And poets. People who build beautiful things without destroying to do it.” [Sheri S. Tepper](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper.md) · [Beauty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/beauty.md) · p. 302 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/beauty/and-when-a-man.md) Topics: [beauty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/beauty.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md), [holiness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/holiness.md) > They can create something beautiful, useful, even something worthless. But they create. They don't destroy. [Octavia E. Butler](https://www.leafyquotes.com/octavia-e-butler.md) · [Bloodchild and Other Stories](https://www.leafyquotes.com/octavia-e-butler/bloodchild-and-other-stories.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/octavia-e-butler/bloodchild-and-other-stories/they-can-create.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Composer, sculptor, painter, poet, prophet, sage, these are the makers of the after-world, the architects of heaven. [James Allen](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-allen.md) · [As a Man Thinketh](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-allen/as-a-man-thinketh.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-allen/as-a-man-thinketh/composer-sculptor-painter.md) Topics: [art](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/art.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Man is not the most majestic of the creatures; long before the mammals even, the dinosaurs were far more splendid. But he has what no other animal possesses: a jigsaw of faculties, which alone, over three thousand million years of life, made him creative. Every animal leaves traces of what he was. Man alone leaves traces of what he created. [Jacob Bronowski](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jacob-bronowski.md) · [The Ascent Of Man](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jacob-bronowski/the-ascent-of-man.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jacob-bronowski/the-ascent-of-man/man-is-not.md) Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > The many modern critics who sense an inconsistency in the belief that free creation takes place within — presupposes, in fact — a system of constraints and governing principles are quite mistaken: unless, of course, they speak of "contradiction" in the loose and metaphoric sense of Schelling, when he writes that "without the contradiction of necessity and freedom not only philosophy but every nobler ambition of the spirit would sink to that death which is peculiar to those sciences in which that contradiction serves no function." Without this tension between necessity and freedom, rule and choice, there can be no creativity, no communication, no meaningful acts all all. [Noam Chomsky](https://www.leafyquotes.com/noam-chomsky.md) · [The Chomsky Reader](https://www.leafyquotes.com/noam-chomsky/the-chomsky-reader.md) · p. 153 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/noam-chomsky/the-chomsky-reader/the-many-modern.md) Topics: [freedom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/freedom.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > It's how creativity works. Especially in humans. For every good idea, ten thousand idiotic ones must first be posed, sifted, tried out, and discarded. A mind that's afraid to toy with the ridiculous will never come up with the brilliantly original. [David Brin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-brin.md) · [Brightness Reef](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-brin/brightness-reef.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-brin/brightness-reef/its-how-creativity.md) Topics: [ideas](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ideas.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > I believe creative work needs communication. So it’s extremely encouraging to be with a group of people who form a community and to know that you’re not isolated, although as individuals we must always work in an inner silence. [Henri Cartier-Bresson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henri-cartier-bresson.md) · [Henri Cartier-Bresson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henri-cartier-bresson/henri-cartier-bresson.md) · p. 34 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/henri-cartier-bresson/henri-cartier-bresson/i-believe-creative.md) Topics: [community](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/community.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Design is really a special case of problem solving. One wants to bring about a desired state of affairs. Occasionally one wants to remedy some fault but more usually one wants to bring about something new. For that reason design is more open ended than problem solving. It requires more creativity. It is not so much a matter of linking up a clearly defined objective with a clearly defined starting position (as in problem solving) but more a matter of starting out from a general position in the direction of a general objective [Edward de Bono](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edward-de-bono.md) · [Lateral Thinking](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edward-de-bono/lateral-thinking.md) · p. 198 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edward-de-bono/lateral-thinking/design-is-really.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md), [problems](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/problems.md) > Lateral thinking... is the process of using information to bring about creativity and insight restructuring. Lateral thinking can be learned, practised and used. It is possible to acquire skill in it just as it is possible to acquire skill in mathematics. [Edward de Bono](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edward-de-bono.md) · [Lateral Thinking](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edward-de-bono/lateral-thinking.md) · p. 5 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edward-de-bono/lateral-thinking/lateral-thinking-is-the.md) Topics: [thinking](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/thinking.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > At school the emphasis has traditionally always been on vertical thinking which is effective but incomplete. This selective type of thinking needs to be supplemented with the generative qualities of creative thinking. This is beginning to happen in some schools but even so creativity is usually treated as something desirable which is to be brought about by vague exhortation. There is no deliberate and practical procedure for bringing it about. [Edward de Bono](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edward-de-bono.md) · [Lateral Thinking](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edward-de-bono/lateral-thinking.md) · p. 5 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edward-de-bono/lateral-thinking/at-school-the.md) Topics: [education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/education.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Lateral thinking is closely related to insight, creativity and humour. All four processes have the same basis. But whereas insight, creativity and humour can only be prayed for, lateral thinking is a more deliberate process. It is as definite a way of using the mind as logical thinking — but a very different way. [Edward de Bono](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edward-de-bono.md) · [Lateral Thinking](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edward-de-bono/lateral-thinking.md) · p. 6 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edward-de-bono/lateral-thinking/lateral-thinking-is-closely.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [thinking](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/thinking.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > The second handers offer substitutes for competence such as love, charm, kindness - easy substitutes - and there is no substitute for creation. [Ayn Rand](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand.md) · [The Journals of Ayn Rand](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/the-journals-of-ayn-rand.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/the-journals-of-ayn-rand/the-second-handers.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > An idea is a thought. It's a thought that holds more than you think it does when you receive it. But in that first moment there is a spark. In a comic strip, if someone gets an idea, a lightbulb goes on. It happens in an instant, just as in life. > > It would be great if the entire film came all at once. But it comes, for me, in fragments. That first fragment is like the Rosetta stone. It's the piece of the puzzle that indicates the rest. It's a hopeful puzzle piece. > > In Blue Velvet, it was red lips, green lawns, and the song — Bobby Vinton's version of "Blue Velvet". The next thing was an ear lying in a field. And that was it. > > You fall in love with the first idea, that little tiny piece. And once you've got it, the rest will come in time. [David J. Lynch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-j-lynch.md) · [Catching the Big Fish](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-j-lynch/catching-the-big-fish.md) · p. 23 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-j-lynch/catching-the-big-fish/an-idea-is-a-thought.md) Topics: [ideas](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ideas.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > Ideas are like fish. > > If you want to catch little fish, you can stay in the shallow water. But if you want to catch the big fish, you've got to go deeper. > > Down deep, the fish are more powerful and more pure. They're huge and abstract. And they're very beautiful. [David J. Lynch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-j-lynch.md) · [Catching the Big Fish](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-j-lynch/catching-the-big-fish.md) · p. 1 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-j-lynch/catching-the-big-fish/ideas-are-like.md) Topics: [ideas](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ideas.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > The more I study the phenomenon of human creativity, the more mysterious it seems. Their whole process of innovation is elusive, but is critical for us to understand. If we fail in this endeavor, thinking machines are doomed. [Frank Herbert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert.md) · [Dune](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/dune.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/dune/the-more-i-study.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md), [artificial intelligence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/artificial-intelligence.md) > In every age, and especially in childhood, we want to create, to copy, to produce, to give all the signs of power and activity. He will hardly have seen the gardener at work twice, sowing, planting, and growing vegetables, before he will want to garden himself. > > According to the principles I have already laid down, I shall not thwart him; on the contrary, I shall approve of his plan, share his hobby, and work with him, not for his pleasure but my own; at least, so he thinks; I shall be his under-gardener, and dig the ground for him till his arms are strong enough to do it; he will take possession of it by planting a bean, and this is surely a more sacred possession, and one more worthy of respect, than that of Nunes Balboa, who took possession of South America in the name of the King of Spain, by planting his banner on the coast of the Southern Sea. [Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Emile; or On Education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education/in-every-age.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md), [private property](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/private-property.md), [garden](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/garden.md) > The artist produces for the liberation of his soul. It is his nature to create as it is the nature of water to run down the hill. [William Somerset Maugham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham.md) · [The Summing Up](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-summing-up.md) · p. 185 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-summing-up/the-artist-produces.md) Topics: [art](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/art.md), [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md) > He never created a finished product. Finished products are for decadent minds. [Isaac Asimov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov.md) · [Second Foundation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/second-foundation.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/second-foundation/he-never-created.md) Topics: [creativity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/creativity.md), [perfection](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/perfection.md)