If I am worth anything later, I am worth something now

Vincent van Gogh’s quote, “If I am worth anything later, I am worth something now. For wheat is wheat, even if people think it is a grass in the beginning,” from The Letters of Vincent Van Gogh encapsulates a profound reflection on self-worth and the artist’s struggle with recognition.

Van Gogh is often seen as a quintessential example of an artist unrecognized during his lifetime. Despite his immense creative output, he only sold one painting during his life, The Red Vineyard (1888). This lack of public and commercial acknowledgment deeply affected him, leading to periods of self-doubt and despair, but also fueling his relentless pursuit of art.

The metaphor of wheat and grass in the quote is especially revealing. Van Gogh likens himself to wheat, a valuable and nourishing crop, but points out that others might mistake it for mere grass at first glance—insignificant and not yet fully realized. This reflects his understanding of his own potential: even if society did not recognize his value during his life, it did not mean he lacked intrinsic worth. Like wheat, which always has the potential to grow into something vital, he believed that his true value existed even when overlooked by others.

This sentiment highlights Van Gogh’s evolving sense of self-worth. Although he struggled with mental health and insecurity, he was aware of the enduring value of his work, even if that recognition came only after his death. His art and life demonstrate that external validation is not always immediate, but that personal worth is not dependent on others’ judgments. Van Gogh trusted that the worth he saw in himself as an artist would eventually be realized by the world.

Moreover, the quote suggests a deeper philosophical stance on time and recognition. Van Gogh implies that value is constant and not subject to time’s whims. If something or someone has inherent worth, that worth remains regardless of when it is acknowledged. His work, though not appreciated during his lifetime, would stand the test of time, as it has in the century following his death.

Ultimately, this quote from Van Gogh encourages reflection on the nature of self-worth, independent of external circumstances, and resonates with anyone who struggles to be seen or valued in the present.