Who said “The condition every art requires is, not so much freedom from restriction, as freedom…”?

Verified

Willa Cather. A published source records them saying or writing it.

Source"Four Letters: Escapism" (1936)

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“The condition every art requires is, not so much freedom from restriction, as freedom from adulteration and from the intrusion of foreign matter.”
Verified"Four Letters: Escapism" (1936) · evidenceCensorship

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: "Four Letters: Escapism" (1936).

APA

Cather, W. (n.d.). The condition every art requires is, not so much freedom from restriction, as freedom from adulteration and from the intrusion of foreign matter. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/9076-the-condition-every-art-requires-is-not-so/

MLA

Cather, Willa. “The condition every art requires is, not so much freedom from restriction, as freedom from adulteration and from the intrusion of foreign matter.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/9076-the-condition-every-art-requires-is-not-so/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Cather, Willa. “The condition every art requires is, not so much freedom from restriction, as freedom from adulteration and from the intrusion of foreign matter.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/9076-the-condition-every-art-requires-is-not-so/.