Logan Pearsall Smith: Good Work

Posted by admin on Friday, February 12, 2021

Logan Pearsall Smith Money Quote saying artists believe they can sell out early, but recover later to do honest work they care about is cheap failure. Logan Pearsall Smith said:
 

 

“The notion of making money by popular work, and then retiring to do good work, is the most familiar of all the devil’s traps for artists” — Logan Pearsall Smith

 

 

In this quote, Logan Pearsall Smith seems to be warning artists about prioritizing commercial success over creative integrity. By describing the idea of “making money by popular work, and then retiring to do good work” as “the most familiar of all the devil’s traps for artists”, Smith implies that pursuing profit and popularity can compromise an artist’s authentic artistic vision and voice.

The quote conveys Smith’s perspective that when artists focus first on commercial viability rather than self-expression, they risk becoming trapped creating inauthentic “popular work” for monetary gain rather than the “good work” they truly desire to produce. Overall, Smith appears to be advising artists against allowing financial or public considerations to override their inner artistic calling and passion for their craft.

Birthday: October 18, 1865 – Death: March 2, 1946

Categories: finance