People
Great artists treasure their time with a bitter and snarling miserliness.
— Catherine Drinker Bowen
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
The speaker says great artists guard their time fiercely, hoarding it like a miser and snapping at anything that wastes it. Their devotion to the work makes them stingy, even hostile, about interruptions. The line presents creative greatness as costing generosity and patience.
Context reviewed