Steven Pressfield Quotes: Widely known for his razor-sharp copywriting and brilliant screenplays, Steven Pressfield is a shining name in the realm of the advertising and writing industry. He was born in the Port of Spain, Trinidad in 1943 and later graduated from Duke University in 1965. After completing his graduation and serving the marine corps, he hopped on to the field of copywriting, advertising, driving, bartender, etc. As an author, he struggled to a great extent in making a living until the success of the war of Art book that published in 2002. One of his works ‘The Legend of Bagger Vance’ was adapted into a film in 2000. Steven’s other noteworthy works are ‘Tides of War’, ‘Gates of War’, ‘The Virtues of War’, etc. To make you conversant with the artistic genius of Steven Pressfield, we have rounded up the top Steven Pressfield quotes on resistance and the war of art that depict a lot about love, life, and art.
Steven Pressfield Quotes
We must do our work for its own sake, not for fortune or attention or applause. » Steven Pressfield
The professional loves her work. She is invested in it wholeheartedly. But she does not forget that the work is not her. » Steven Pressfield
If you find yourself asking yourself (and your friends), “Am I really a writer? Am I really an artist?” chances are you are. The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death. » Steven Pressfield
Start before you’re ready. » Steven Pressfield
Our job in this life is not to shape ourselves into some ideal we imagine we ought to be, but to find out who we already are and become it. » Steven Pressfield
Resistance by definition is self-sabotage. » Steven Pressfield
The most important thing about art is to work. Nothing else matters except sitting down every day and trying. » Steven Pressfield
The amateur believes he must first overcome his fear; then he can do his work. The professional knows that fear can never be overcome. He knows there is no such thing as a fearless warrior or a dread-free artist. » Steven Pressfield
The Principle of Priority states (a) you must know the difference between what is urgent and what is important, and (b) you must do what’s important first. » Steven Pressfield
A work-in-progress generates its own energy field. You, the artist or entrepreneur, are pouring love into the work; you are suffusing it with passion and intention and hope. » Steven Pressfield
A cavalryman’s horse should be smarter than he is. But the horse must never be alowed to know this. » Steven Pressfield
Our job in this lifetime is not to shape ourselves into some ideal we imagine we ought to be, but to find out who we already are and become it. » Steven Pressfield
The artist committing himself to his calling has volunteered for hell, whether he knows it or not. He will be dining for the duration on a diet of isolation, rejection, self-doubt, despair, ridicule, contempt, and humiliation. » Steven Pressfield
The song we’re composing already exists in potential. Our work is to find it. » Steven Pressfield
A child has no trouble believing the unbelievable, nor does the genius or the madman. It’s only you and I, with our big brains and our tiny hearts, who doubt and overthink and hesitate. » Steven Pressfield
The opposite of fear,” Dienekes said, “is love. » Steven Pressfield
Fear doesn’t go away. The warrior and the artist live by the same code of necessity, which dictates that the battle must be fought anew every day. » Steven Pressfield
The sure sign of an amateur is he has a million plans and they all start tomorrow. » Steven Pressfield
This man has conquered the world! What have you done?” The philosopher replied without an instant’s hesitation, “I have conquered the need to conquer the world. » Steven Pressfield
The amateur believes he must first overcome his fear; then he can do his work. The professional knows that fear can never be overcome. » Steven Pressfield
A horse must be a bit mad to be a good cavalry mount, and its rider must be completely so. » Steven Pressfield
Always attack. Even in defense, attack. The attacking arm possesses the initiative and thus commands the action. To attack makes men brave; to defend makes them timorous. » Steven Pressfield
It’s better to be in the arena, getting stomped by the bull, than to be up in the stands or out in the parking lot. » Steven Pressfield
Resistance is directly proportional to love. If you’re feeling massive Resistance, the good news is that it means there’s tremendous love there too. » Steven Pressfield
Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance. » Steven Pressfield
He who whets his steel, whets his courage » Steven Pressfield
Of any activity you do, ask yourself: If I were the last person on earth, would I still do it? » Steven Pressfield
As all born teachers, he was primarily a student. » Steven Pressfield
Someone once asked Somerset Maughham if he wrote on a schedule or only when struck by inspiration. “I write only when inspiration strikes,” he replied. “Fortunately it strikes every morning at nine o’clock sharp. » Steven Pressfield
To feel ambition and to act upon it is to embrace the unique calling of our souls. Not to act upon that ambition is to turn our backs on ourselves and on the reason for our existence. » Steven Pressfield
Resistance is always lying and always full of shit. » Steven Pressfield
The best and only thing that one artist can do for another is to serve as an example and an inspiration. » Steven Pressfield
Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It’s a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got. » Steven Pressfield
Stay stupid. Follow your unconventional, crazy heart. » Steven Pressfield
Rule of thumb: The more important a call or action is to our soul’s evolution, the Resistance we will feel toward pursuing it. » Steven Pressfield
Here’s another test. Of any activity you do, aks yourself: If I were the last person on earth, would I still do it? » Steven Pressfield
Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, that here obedient to their laws we lie. » Steven Pressfield
What finally convinced me to go ahead was simply that I was so unhappy not going ahead. I was developing symptoms. As soon as I sat down and began, I was okay. » Steven Pressfield
The hardship of the exercises is intended less to strengthen the back than to toughen the mind. The Spartans say that any army may win while it still has its legs under it; the real test comes when all strength is fled and the men must produce victory on will alone. » Steven Pressfield
Habit will be your champion. When you train the mind to think one way and one way only, when you refuse to allow it to think in another, that will produce great strength in battle. » Steven Pressfield
To labor in the arts for any reason other than love is prostitution. » Steven Pressfield
To yield to Resistance deforms our spirit. It stunts us and makes us less than we are and were born to be. » Steven Pressfield
The artist cannot look to others to validate his efforts or his calling. If you don’t believe me, ask Van Gogh, who produced masterpiece after masterpiece and never found a buyer in his whole life. » Steven Pressfield
The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death. » Steven Pressfield
The sign of the amateur is overglorification of and preoccupation with the mystery. The professional shuts up. She doesn’t talk about it. She does her work. » Steven Pressfield
Turning pro is like kicking a drug habit or stopping drinking. It’s a decision, a decision to which we must re-commit every day. » Steven Pressfield
You have never tasted freedom, friend,” Dienekes spoke, “or you would know it is purchased not with gold, but steel. » Steven Pressfield
Nothing is as empowering as real-world validation, even if it’s for failure. » Steven Pressfield
If you’re are paralyzed with fear it’s a good sign. It shows you what you have to do. » Steven Pressfield
The working artist will not tolerate trouble in her life because she knows trouble prevents her from doing her work. » Steven Pressfield
The opposite of fear is love – love of the challenge, love of the work, the pure joyous passion to take a shot at our dream and see if we can pull it off. » Steven Pressfield