Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
A humorous generalization about the appearance of writers' spouses.
In plain terms
He claims all wives of writers are pretty.
What can you take from it?
Stereotypes often rely on selective observation.

Where it applies

  • social banter
  • author anecdote
  • compliments

Putting it to work

  • observe patterns
  • make jokes
  • socialize

Questions to consider

  • Why do we generalize?
  • What stories do writers tell?

Another view

This is likely not factually true for all writers.

More from Kurt Vonnegut

  1. The public health authorities never mention the main reason many Americans have for smoking heavily, which is that smoking is a fairly sure, fairly honorable f…

    Permalink to quote #59

  2. So it goes.

    Permalink to quote #61

  3. Pretend to be good always, and even God will be fooled.

    Permalink to quote #58

Related quotes

  1. I'm only waiting for my wife to grow up.

    Grover ClevelandGrover Cleveland quote #1

  2. There's only one way to have a happy marriage and as soon as I learn what it is I'll get married again.

    Clint EastwoodClint Eastwood quote #2

  3. There is little pride in writers. They know they are human and shall some day die and be forgotten. Knowing all this a writer is gentle and kindly where anothe…

    William SaroyanWilliam Saroyan quote #8