“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”
- March 30, 1853 – July 29, 1890
- Dutch
- Painter, Post-Impressionist Artist, Pioneer of Modern Art
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Quote
“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”
Explanation
This quote urges action in the face of self-doubt, presenting creativity as a tool for overcoming internal fear and limitation. The “voice within” symbolizes the inner critic—a force that discourages effort by casting doubt on one’s ability. Van Gogh’s advice, “by all means paint,” is a call to defy that voice through direct, persistent engagement, suggesting that the act of doing is the cure for disbelief.
Van Gogh’s own life was full of struggles with confidence, rejection, and mental health, yet he painted with relentless determination. Despite lacking recognition during his lifetime, he produced over 2,000 artworks, proving that even when external and internal voices doubted him, he chose to create rather than concede. This quote is both autobiographical and motivational, reflecting his belief that courage grows from action, not certainty.
In modern life, whether someone faces doubt in art, writing, public speaking, or any new venture, this quote serves as a powerful reminder: you do not need to silence fear before beginning—beginning is how you silence fear. It encourages us to push through hesitation, affirming that self-belief is often built not before, but during, the act of creation.
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