They're ugly, but those are the facts of life.
Harper LeeRead
Writing is simply something you must do. It's rather like virtue in that it is its own reward.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Writing is an essential activity that brings intrinsic satisfaction.
In this quote, Harper Lee emphasizes the importance of writing as a fundamental act that one must engage in, likening it to virtue which brings its own rewards. Writing is not merely a means to an end; instead, the act itself is fulfilling and serves as a rewarding experience, irrespective of external recognition or success.
Themes
WritingRewardVirtueCreativityArt
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote to motivate aspiring writers in a workshop.
More from Harper Lee
All quotes →It's better to be silent than to be a fool.
Harper LeeRead
Don’t talk like that, Dill,” said Aunt Alexandra. “It’s not becoming to a child. It’s – cynical.” “I ain’t cynical, Miss Alexandra. Tellin’ the truth’s not cynical, is it?” “The way you tell it, it is.
Harper LeeRead
With him, life was routine; without him, life was unbearable.
Harper LeeRead
He turned out the light and went into Jem's room. He would be there all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning.
Harper LeeRead
You can choose your friends but you sho' can't choose your family, an' they're still kin to you no matter whether you acknowledge 'em or not, and it makes you look right silly when you don't.
Harper LeeRead
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I wonder if I can write this history, or if on every page there will be some sneaking show of a bitterness I thought long dead. I think myself cured of all spite, but when I touch pen to paper, the hurt of a boy bleeds out with the sea-spawned ink, until I suspect each carefully formed black letter scabs over some ancient scarlet wound.
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I never knew I was a surrealist till Andre Breton came to Mexico and told me I was.
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