Quote by John Berryman
The artist is extremely lucky who is presented with the worst possible ordeal which will not actually kill him. At that point, he's in business.
Summary
This quote suggests that artists thrive when faced with adversity that may be challenging, but ultimately does not break them. The "worst possible ordeal" refers to difficult experiences that bring out the artist's resilience and creativity. It implies that the artist's true potential is unleashed when faced with obstacles that push them to their limits but do not destroy them. This adversity becomes an opportunity for growth and a catalyst for the artist's work.