"Life without illusions is unbearable and life with illusions is unpardonable."
-Eugene O'Neil
Today's quote comes from American playwright Eugene O'Neill (1888-1953). I analyze the line bluntly as follows: we must hang on to our dreams for without them life is essentially pointless and any shortfall or mishap is inexcusable for it is our own illusions that have led us to such results.
I believe this.
It gives one cause to take responsibility for what one contributes to the world. Of course as a musician I selfishly interpret the quote to apply to art and nonetheless it should. Artists must take responsibility for their art and consequently give all that they can to ensure its quality.
Eugene O'Neill was a Nobel Laureate playwright. He was known to compose plays with characters involved on the fringes of society, employ "American" vernacular in his dialogue, and use the techniques of realism. Now, I do not profess to be an expert in the arena of plays nor do I claim to even read plays or attend them regularly. I confess I've never read or seen anything that O'Neill has written (which I plan to amend). But the featured quote seems to me to embody a very "realist" message despite its ambivalence. And I mean, come on. Look at the guys photo, tell me he is not a realist. Google images for this dude, not one with a smile, I swear.
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