Nobody holds a good opinion of a man who has a low opinion of himself.
Anthony TrollopeRead
My belief of book writing is much the same as my belief as to shoemaking. The man who will work the hardest at it, and will work with the most honest purpose, will work the best.
Interpretation
Diligence and honesty are key to producing quality work, whether in writing or any craft.
In this quote, Anthony Trollope draws a parallel between writing books and shoemaking, suggesting that the quality of one's output is directly proportional to the effort and sincerity put into the work. He emphasizes that hard work and a genuine intention to create are fundamental to achieving excellence in any craft.
In practice
During a writing workshop, I shared Trollope's belief to inspire attendees to focus on their dedication to their craft.
Nobody holds a good opinion of a man who has a low opinion of himself.
Romance is very pretty in novels, but the romance of a life is always a melancholy matter. They are most happy who have no story to tell.
There is no happiness in love, except at the end of an English novel.
That I can read and be happy while I am reading, is a great blessing.
A man's love, till it has been chastened and fastened by the feeling of duty which marriage brings with it, is instigated mainly by the difficulty of pursuit.
But she knew this,—that it was necessary for her happiness that she should devote herself to some one. All the elegancies and outward charms of life were delightful, if only they could be used as the means to some end. As an end themselves they were nothing.
A work of art has no importance whatever to society. It is only important to the individual.
I don't think any movie or any book or any work of art can solve the stalemate in the Middle East today. But it's certainly worth a try.
The sound of colors is so definite that it would be hard to find anyone who would express bright yellow with base notes, or dark lake with the treble.
Style is very personal. It has nothing to do with fashion. Fashion is over quickly. Style is forever.
It is the nature of the artist to mind excessively what is said about him. Literature is strewn with the wreckage of men who have minded beyond reason the opinions of others.
My apartment is my stage, and my bedroom is my stage - they're just not stages you're allowed to see.
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