“It is better to be high-spirited even though one makes more mistakes, than to be narrow-minded and all too prudent.”
- March 30, 1853 – July 29, 1890
- Dutch
- Painter, Post-Impressionist Artist, Pioneer of Modern Art
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Quote
“It is better to be high-spirited even though one makes more mistakes, than to be narrow-minded and all too prudent.”
Explanation
This quote champions passion, openness, and boldness over excessive caution and rigid thinking. Van Gogh argues that it is more admirable to live and act with energy and spirit—even at the risk of error—than to live so carefully that one avoids risk altogether. Mistakes, he implies, are part of growth and authenticity, whereas being “narrow-minded” and “too prudent” leads to stagnation and a limited life.
Van Gogh’s own life illustrates this conviction. He often acted impulsively, spoke with emotional intensity, and followed his artistic vision despite social norms or institutional rejection. His paintings—bold in color, movement, and subject—reflect a soul that chose vitality over restraint, even when it led to hardship. This quote is an affirmation of his belief that true expression and progress come through fearless engagement, not guarded perfection.
In modern terms, the quote encourages us to embrace enthusiasm and creativity, even when it means failing or going against convention. It is a reminder that living fully requires risk, and that a vibrant, mistake-filled life is richer than a cautious one devoid of passion. Van Gogh invites us to choose spirit over safety, daring over timidity, and to find value not in always being right, but in being fully alive.
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