"Almost all crime is due to the repressed desire for aesthetic expression"
- Evelyn Waugh
About this Quote
In this quote, Evelyn Waugh suggests that the source of many criminal offenses is the unsatisfied yearning for creative expression. This statement indicates that people who take part in criminal habits may do so as a method of revealing themselves in such a way that society does not permit or accept. It also recommends that if individuals had the ability to easily express themselves through art, there would be a decrease in criminal offense. Waugh's words highlight the importance of innovative outlets and the prospective consequences of suppressing one's artistic desires. It also raises questions about the social norms and limitations that may add to criminal behavior.