My father once told me that respect for truth comes close to being the basis for all morality. 'Something cannot emerge from nothing,' he said. This is profound thinking if you understand how unstable 'the truth' can be.
Frank HerbertRead
You don't write for success. That takes part of your attention away from the writing. If you're really doing it, that's all you're doing: writing.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Writing should be an act of passion, not a pursuit of success.
Frank Herbert's quote emphasizes that the true essence of writing lies in the act itself rather than the accolades or recognition it may bring. When writers focus too heavily on the desire for success, they risk losing the authenticity and creativity that fuel their craft. Genuine writing is a pure expression; it thrives when the writer's attention is solely on the writing process, not on external validation.
Themes
WritingSuccessCreativityPassionAuthenticity
In practice
Example use cases
In a writing workshop to inspire participants before they begin their projects.
More from Frank Herbert
All quotes →If you need something to worship, then worship life - all life, every last crawling bit of it! We're all in this beauty together!
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To know a thing well, know it's limits; Only when pushed beyond it's tolerance will it's true nature be seen. -The Amtal Rule
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It is impossible to live in the past, difficult to live in the present and a waste to live in the future.
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