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When one starts writing a book, especially a novel, even the humblest person in the world hopes to become Homer.
Umberto Eco
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote suggests that every writer aspires for greatness regardless of their background.

Umberto Eco highlights an inherent desire among writers to achieve legendary status when they embark on writing a book, especially a novel. This desire is not confined to those with notable backgrounds or experience; even the least experienced writers dream of creating works as significant as those of great authors like Homer. It reflects the universal ambition to reach extraordinary heights in artistic expression.

Themes

WritingAmbitionCreativityAspirationLiterature

In practice

Example use cases

In a writing workshop, to inspire participants before starting their projects.

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The Enlightenment, the Age of Reason, is seen as the beginning of modern depravity.
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But why do some people support [the heretics]?" "Because it serves their purposes, which concern the faith rarely, and more often the conquest of power." "Is that why the church of Rome accuses all its adversaries of heresy?" "That is why, and that is also why it recognizes as orthodoxy any heresy it can bring back under its own control or must accept because the heresy has become too strong.
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You die, but most of what you have accumulated will not be lost; you are leaving a message in a bottle.
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"Then we are living in a place abandoned by God," I said, disheartened. "Have you found any places where God would have felt at home?" William asked me, looking down from his great height.
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The lunatic is all idée fixe, and whatever he comes across confirms his lunacy. You can tell him by the liberties he takes with common sense, by his flashes of inspiration, and by the fact that sooner or later he brings up the Templars.
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