Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work

Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work

Gustave Flaubert, the renowned French novelist, is often quoted as saying, “Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work.” This statement encapsulates Flaubert’s belief in the importance of discipline and routine in one’s personal life in order to unleash creativity and innovation in one’s artistic endeavors.

Flaubert himself was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his dedication to his craft. He spent years perfecting his writing, often laboring over a single sentence for hours on end. This commitment to excellence and his relentless pursuit of perfection are evident in his most famous work, Madame Bovary, which is considered a masterpiece of realist literature.

Flaubert’s advice to be “regular and orderly” in one’s life can be seen as a call for self-discipline and self-control. By establishing a routine and sticking to it, one can create a sense of stability and structure that can provide a solid foundation for creative expression. This disciplined approach to life can help to cultivate good habits and eliminate distractions, allowing one to focus on their work with clarity and purpose.

On the other hand, Flaubert’s assertion that being “violent and original” in one’s work requires a certain level of boldness and audacity. It suggests that in order to break new ground and push the boundaries of artistic expression, one must be willing to take risks and challenge conventional norms. This willingness to be daring and unconventional is what sets great artists apart from the rest, allowing them to create works that are truly groundbreaking and original.