RISD painting alum Cesare De Credico ‘05 provided this important bit of wisdom to me:

Let the artist give a great example. He worships his work; the joy of doing it right is a divine reward. Nowadays the workers are unfortunately being told that they ought to hate their work and do it shoddily. Mankind will not be happy until all men have the souls of artists, that is, until every man’s work gives him pleasure. And art sets a superb example of honesty.

The true artist always expresses what he thinks, at the risk of flying in the face of all ingrained prejudice. This is how he teaches others courage and condor. Now, just imagine what a miraculous step forward we would suddenly take if absolute truthfulness prevailed among men! O how rapidly society would liberate itself from ingrained error and ugliness, and how quickly our earth would become a paradise.

-Auguste Rodin

Thank you Cesare!