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When I look back at Stairs to the Roof... I see its faults very plainly, as plainly as you may see them, but still I do not feel apologetic about this play. Unskilled and awkward as I was at this initial period of my playwriting, I certainly had a moral ernestness which I cannot boast of today, and I think that moral ernestness is a good thing for any times, but particularly for these times. I wish I still had the idealistic passion of Benjamin Murphy! You may smile as I do at the sometimes sophomoric aspect of his excitement, but I hope you will respect, as I do, the purity of his feeling and the honest concern which he had in his heart for the basic problem of mankind, which is to dignify our lives with a certain freedom.

Tennessee Williams#1

ArtCreativityGrowthPassion

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About this quote

What does it mean?
Early work may be flawed but sincere passion matters more than skill.
In plain terms
My first play was bad but I cared deeply about it.
What can you take from it?
Sincerity and passion are valuable even if skills are lacking.

Where it applies

  • artistic development
  • early projects
  • career beginnings

Putting it to work

  • value effort
  • stay passionate
  • learn from mistakes

Questions to consider

  • What did you care about early on?
  • Do you value passion over skill?

Another view

Skill often matters more than intention in professional work.

More from Tennessee Williams

  1. I never saw a more beautiful woman, enormous eyes, skin the color of Devonshire cream.

    Permalink to quote #2

  2. The theatre is a place where one has time for the problems of people to whom one would show the door if they came to one's office for a job.

    Permalink to quote #3

  3. In memory everything seems to happen to music.

    Permalink to quote #5

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