"The chief enemy of creativity is "good" sense"

Pablo Picasso challenges conventional thinking by asserting that “good” sense stands in opposition to creativity. “Good” sense is commonly understood as sound judgment, prudence, or practical, rational decision-making. It guides individuals to behave according to accepted standards, emphasizing safety, predictability, and conformity. Yet, creativity often flourishes when individuals step beyond these boundaries and take imaginative risks, defying what is ordinarily considered sensible.

When creating, an adherence to “good” sense restricts the imagination. It can stunt original thinking because new ideas are frequently deemed impractical, unrealistic, or simply odd by conventional standards. Historically, many innovative breakthroughs, from scientific theories to artistic movements, were dismissed at first as lacking “good” sense. If creative minds always deferred to prevailing wisdom, daring innovations and unique perspectives would likely remain undiscovered.

Picasso’s own artistic evolution exemplifies the point. If he had been guided strictly by “good” sense, he would not have pioneered les Demoiselles d’Avignon or helped birth Cubism, both of which initially shocked and perplexed audiences. To break away from established modes of expression, one must silence the internalized voice of conventional wisdom, which too often whispers what “makes sense” and what does not.

At the heart of creativity lies a willingness to embrace uncertainty, ambiguity, and even absurdity. “Good” sense seeks order and certainty, whereas creativity thrives in playfulness, unpredictability, and the willingness to explore the unknown. Rather than acting as a springboard for imaginative thought, excessive rationality can close the mind to possibility. Thus, Picasso’s message is a call to value intuition, curiosity, and risk, urging individuals to view creativity as the art of moving beyond the limitations of what is simply sensible, and to not shy away from ideas that at first defy “good” sense.