I was not intending “Die” or “Eat” as a command . . . they are the briefest of two thoughts that I wish to deal with. It could have been “Life” and “Death,” but “Eat” and “Die” are more brief . . . so therefore, “Eat” and “Die” is a reduction to the absolute minimum of an idea . . . The same was “Hug” and “Err” although they might suggest the same thing. With “Hug” I’m talking about love and with “Err” I’m talking about morality. I’m not saying, “Go out, go out and sin.”
— Robert Indiana
Arthur C. Carr, "The Reminiscences of Robert Indiana." New York, November 1965, Arthur C. Carr papers; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library, p. 75.