Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Writers need ego to protect themselves from vulnerability.
In plain terms
Authors use pride to shield their fragile reputations.
What can you take from it?
Confidence acts as armor for the vulnerable.

Where it applies

  • facing criticism
  • building confidence
  • creative work

Putting it to work

  • build resilience
  • accept vulnerability

Questions to consider

  • How do you protect your work?
  • Is ego needed for creation?

Another view

It suggests ego is necessary rather than a potential flaw.

More from Brian Aldiss

  1. When childhood dies, its corpses are called adults and they enter society, one of the politer names of hell. That is why we dread children, even if we love the…

    Permalink to quote #8
  2. Whatever creativity is, it is in part a solution to a problem.

    Permalink to quote #10
  3. One of the objections I have against Campbell's Astounding was that there was too little love in it. It was a very loveless magazine. They never took enough ac…

    Permalink to quote #7

Related quotes

  1. Edward Cullen: Look after my heart - I've left it with you.

    Stephenie MeyerStephenie Meyer quote #2
  2. I can't cope, all the defenses are gone. All the nerves are exposed.

    Nick DrakeNick Drake quote #6
  3. Ooh, look at me, I'm Dave, I'm writing a book! With all my thought in it. La la la!

    Dave EggersDave Eggers quote #6