"Without anxiety and illness I should have been like a ship without a rudder"

In this quote, Edvard Munch is revealing the idea that anxiety and health problem have actually played a substantial role in forming his life. He compares himself to a ship without a rudder, implying that without these battles, he would have lacked direction and purpose. Munch might be suggesting that his stress and anxiety and health problem have actually required him to face tough feelings and experiences, ultimately causing personal development and a much deeper understanding of himself. Without these obstacles, he thinks he would have been adrift, doing not have the drive and decision that have propelled him forward. This quote highlights the idea that adversity can often cause individual development and advancement, which our battles can eventually shape who we end up being.