Quotes | The Inner Path of Photography

An inspiring talk by the musician/poet/artist Patti Smith at the Louisiana Literature Festival, August 2012. Experience only the first 2 minutes – and easily take heart. Listen to the total 6 – and say “yes” to life.

“One does their work for the people.
And the more people you can touch, the more wonderful it is.

You don’t do your work and say ‘I only want the cool people to read it.’
You want everyone to be transported or hopefully inspired by it.”

“Be concerned with doing good work.”

*****

“Life is like a roller coaster ride. It is never going to be perfect.”

May you honor that deepest part of you that naturally transports and inspires.

Do not read, as children do,
to enjoy themselves

or, as the ambitious do,
to educate themselves.

No, read to live.

– Gustave Flaubert

Image: “Snowy Marsh Neighbors, Eastham, MA, 1.29.2014”

“I have a terrible need of —

shall I say the word? —

religion.

Then I go out and paint the stars.”

– From letters of Van Gogh to his brother

Run my dear
From anything
That may not strengthen
Your precious budding wings.

Run like hell my dear,
From anyone likely
To put a sharp knife
Into the sacred, tender vision

Of your beautiful heart.

– Hafiz

The Inner Path of Photography