There is incredible power in the arts to inspire and influence.

Hearken, children of the ages, to the luminous counsel of Julie Taymor, who declared: “There is incredible power in the arts to inspire and influence.” In this brief but profound utterance lies the eternal truth of human expression: that the arts—in all their forms, from music to painting, theater to dance—are not mere decoration of life, but instruments of the soul, capable of stirring hearts, shaping minds, and guiding the course of civilizations.

Taymor speaks to the transformative power inherent in creation. The arts awaken emotion, provoke reflection, and ignite imagination. They reach beyond the confines of reason to touch the hidden recesses of the human spirit, conveying truths that words alone cannot. Inspiration flows through melody, through color, through gesture, carrying lessons that endure across generations, invisible yet indelible, subtle yet mighty.

Consider the tale of Ludwig van Beethoven, whose music arose amid deafness and personal struggle, yet transcended his condition to move countless souls. His symphonies inspired courage, resilience, and awe, shaping the hearts of those who listened and leaving an indelible mark on the culture of Europe and the world. Here is proof of Taymor’s insight: the arts influence thought, action, and the very fabric of society, wielding power more profound than armies or decrees.

The ancients, too, understood this principle. The Greeks celebrated tragedy and epic poetry as vessels of moral and civic instruction, recognizing that performance and story could guide the soul, teach virtues, and instill values. Taymor’s words echo through the ages: art is not merely entertainment, but a conduit of wisdom and transformation, a force capable of shaping hearts as much as minds.

Thus, her counsel is both exhortation and celebration: embrace the arts as conduits of human understanding and vehicles of inspiration. They possess the capacity to awaken latent potential, to challenge injustice, to unite communities, and to elevate the spirit. Those who create and those who receive participate in a sacred exchange, a transmission of power that endures far beyond the fleeting moment of performance.

Carry this teaching, children of future generations: honor the power of the arts, let them guide your heart and sharpen your mind, and recognize that through inspiration and influence, human civilization is renewed. The songs, the stories, the images, and the performances you encounter are not mere adornments—they are instruments of change, wisdom, and enduring beauty.