“We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us even in our soundest sleep. I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavour. It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look, which morally we can do. To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.”
- Henry David Thoreau
Translation
“Kailangan nating matutunang magising muli at manatiling gising, hindi sa tulong ng mga makina, kundi sa pamamagitan ng walang hanggang pagaantay sa bukang liwayway, na siyang hindi umiiwan sa atin maski sa pinakamalalim nating pagkakatulog. Wala akong ibang alam na mas nakapagpapatibay na katotohanan bukod sa hindi mapag-aalinlangang kakayahan ng tao na itaas ang kalidad ng kaniyang buhay sa pamamagitan ng masining na paglikha. Isang bagay ang makapagpinta ng larawan, o ang makapag-ukit ng rebulto, at makapagpaganda ng ilang mga bagay; subalit malayong higit na mas maluwalhati ang maukit at maipinta ang mismong kapaligiran at kasangkapan kung saan tayo tumitingin. Magagawa natin ito ng may dalisay na puso. Ang mapaganda ang kalidad ng araw, iyan ang pinakamataas na uri ng sining.”
- Henry David Thoreau
Thoughts
Just by switching into this intention, an artist becomes an artist of life. Their art is recontextualized into a larger context.