"The only way to avoid being unhappy is to close yourself up in Art and to count for nothing all the rest"

Gustave Flaubert's quote, "The only way to avoid being unhappy is to close yourself up in Art and to count for nothing all the rest," speaks profoundly about the human pursuit of joy and the role art plays in it. At its core, this assertion recommends that immersion in art provides a sanctuary from the often harsh and unfulfilling truths of everyday life. By promoting for a life covered in art, Flaubert indicates that art has the power to cushion individuals from the abrasive and often discouraging nature of existence.

The expression "close yourself up in Art" stimulates the image of art as a fortress, a protective barrier from the trials and tribulations that life provides. It suggests a kind of escapism, where people can find relief and meaning amidst creative expression and production. Art, in this sense, is not simply a leisure activity but an important refuge that supplies solace and possibly addresses that the concrete world can not.

Moreover, "to count for absolutely nothing all the rest" suggests a call to focus on art above all else, to the exclusion of other potentially vacuous or distressing pursuits. This reflects a type of asceticism, where the interruptions and concerns of life-- such as materialism, societal pressures, or superficial engagements-- are played down to permit a purer, more profound existence within the realm of art. Flaubert's point of view implies that the true essence of joy is found in the depths of creativity and visual experience, which go beyond the mundane.

In a wider sense, this approach aligns with the Romantic idea that art is a greater pursuit, efficient in communicating facts and feelings that are unattainable through other methods. Flaubert's view encourages a reconsideration of one's top priorities, inviting people to discover satisfaction by engaging deeply with the transformative power of art, therefore attaining a sense of joy that is insulated from external turnarounds.