It is by all odds the loftiest of cities. It even managed to reach the highest point in the sky at the lowest moment of the depression.
E. B. WhiteRead
Writing is an act of faith, not a trick of grammar.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Writing requires belief in the power of words rather than just grammatical skill.
E. B. White's quote emphasizes that the essence of writing goes beyond merely knowing grammar; it is rooted in the writer's faith in the significance of their words and ideas. This act of faith drives writers to convey their thoughts and emotions, suggesting that true writing comes from conviction and creativity rather than technical perfection.
Themes
WritingFaithCreativityExpressionWords
In practice
Example use cases
In a writing workshop, to inspire students about the importance of belief in their writing.
More from E. B. White
All quotes βIt isn't silence you can cut with a knife any more, it's interchange of ideas. Intelligent discussion of practically everything is what is breaking up modern marriage.
E. B. WhiteRead
The main thing I try to do is write as clearly as I can. Because I have the greatest respect for the reader, and if he's going to the trouble of reading what I've written -- I'm a slow reader myself and I guess most people are -- why, the least I can do is make it as easy as possible for him to find out what I'm trying to say, trying to get at. I rewrite a good deal to make it clear.
E. B. WhiteRead
A good farmer is nothing more nor less than a handy man with a sense of humus.
E. B. WhiteRead
A despot doesn't fear eloquent writers preaching freedom- he fears a drunken poet who may crack a joke that will take hold.
E. B. WhiteRead
All writing is communication; creative writing is communication through revelation-it is the Self-escaping into the open.
E. B. WhiteRead
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