"My work always tried to unite the true with the beautiful; but when I had to choose one or the other, I usually chose the beautiful"

In this quote, Tom Stoppard is expressing his creative philosophy and approach to his work. He thinks in the value of combining truth and appeal in his developments, but acknowledges that there are times when he need to prioritize one over the other. Stoppard's ultimate objective is to create something that is both truthful and aesthetically pleasing, however he acknowledges that often the pursuit of beauty might take precedence. This quote highlights the delicate balance in between truth and appeal in art, and the difficult choices that artists should make in order to develop something that is both significant and visually attractive.