It would have made me a whore to leave it incomplete. It would have made it easier to leave future work incomplete. It would have made it more and more difficult to draw upon that additional aching surge of effort that is always the difference between integrity and deceit in a created work.
In Chaim Potok's "My Name Is Asher Lev," the protagonist grapples with the importance of completing his artistic work with integrity. He recognizes that leaving a project unfinished would compromise his artistic integrity and lead to a slippery slope where he might regularly abandon future endeavors. This realization emphasizes the value he places on fully realizing his creative vision.
The quote reflects Asher's internal struggle and his deep commitment to his craft. He believes that true artistry requires not just talent, but also the dedication to push through challenges and deliver a finished piece that resonates with authenticity. For him, the line between creating with integrity and succumbing to deceit is defined by the effort he invests in completing his work.
