The purpose of writing is both to keep up with life and to run ahead of it. I am little comfort to myself, although I am the only comfort I have, excepting perhaps streets, clouds, the sun, the faces and voices of kids and the aged, and similar accidents of beauty, innocence, truth and loneliness.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Writing helps an author stay in tune with life and anticipate its changes.
- In plain terms
- Writing keeps us up to date with life and lets us stay ahead of it.
- What can you take from it?
- Writing tracks and anticipates life.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What is the purpose of your writing?
- How does writing help you understand life?
Another view
It assumes writing is the primary way to track life.
More from William Saroyan
The purpose of my life is to put off dying as long as possible.
Permalink to quote #74 Poetry must be read to be poetry. It may be that one reader is all that I deserve. If this is so, I want that reader to be you.
Permalink to quote #76 The business of polishing my shoes satisfies my soul.
Permalink to quote #73
Related quotes
Le monde est fait pour aboutir a un beau livre.
Stephane MallarmeStephane Mallarme quote #4 The only reason for the existence of a novel is that it does attempt to represent life.
Henry JamesHenry James quote #48 Vain are the beliefs and teachings that make man miserable, and false is the goodness that leads him into sorrow and despair, for it is man's purpose to be hap…
Khalil GibranKhalil Gibran quote #1