Unless you think you can do better than Tolstoy, we don't need you.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Michener challenges writers to strive for the highest standard of quality or accept that their work is unnecessary.
- In plain terms
- If you cannot be better than the best you are not needed.
- What can you take from it?
- Strive for the highest standard of quality.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What standard do you hold yourself to?
- Why is your work needed?
Another view
Not all writing needs to be world class to be valuable.
More from James Michener
There are no insoluble problems. Only time-consuming ones.
Permalink to quote #53 Rice Krispies happens to be one of my favorite junk foods, just as I regard Michener as superior among junk writers.
Permalink to quote #55 The permanent temptation of life is to confuse dreams with reality. The permanent defeat of life comes when dreams are surrendered to reality.
Permalink to quote #52
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