"The creative impulses of man are always at war with the possessive impulses"

This quote by Van Wyck Brooks talks to the duality of humanity. On one hand, we have the imaginative impulse, which is the desire to produce something brand-new and unique. On the other hand, we have the possessive impulse, which is the desire to own and manage something. These 2 impulses are often in conflict with one another, as the innovative impulse looks for to explore and broaden, while the possessive impulse seeks to limit and control. This quote recommends that these two impulses remain in consistent stress, and that it is up to us to choose which impulse will win out in the end. Eventually, it depends on us to choose whether we will be driven by our imaginative impulses or our possessive impulses.