I don't know much about creative writing programs. But they're not telling the truth if they don't teach, one, that writing is hard work, and, two, that you have to give up a great deal of life, your personal life,…

Quote by Doris Lessing

Topics: Doris Lessing Quotes

You can't be a Red if you're married to a civil servant.

You can't be a Red if you're married to a civil servant.

A simple grateful thought turned heavenwards is the most perfect prayer.

A simple grateful thought turned heavenwards is the most perfect prayer.

In university they don't tell you that the greater part of the law is learning...

In university they don't tell you that the greater part of the law is learning...

What's terrible is to pretend that second-rate is first-rate. To pretend that you don't need...

What's terrible is to pretend that second-rate is first-rate. To pretend that you don't need...

Borrowing is not much better than begging; just as lending with interest is not much...

Borrowing is not much better than begging; just as lending with interest is not much...

Any human anywhere will blossom in a hundred unexpected talents and capacities simply by being...

Any human anywhere will blossom in a hundred unexpected talents and capacities simply by being...

There is only one real sin, and that is to persuade oneself that the second-best...

There is only one real sin, and that is to persuade oneself that the second-best...

It is terrible to destroy a person's picture of himself in the interests of truth...

It is terrible to destroy a person's picture of himself in the interests of truth...

Think wrongly, if you please, but in all cases think for yourself.

Think wrongly, if you please, but in all cases think for yourself.

Laughter is by definition healthy.

Laughter is by definition healthy.

Man, who is he? Too bad, to be the work of God: Too good for...

Man, who is he? Too bad, to be the work of God: Too good for...

For the last third of life there remains only work. It alone is always stimulating,...

For the last third of life there remains only work. It alone is always stimulating,...

That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you've understood all your life, but...

That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you've understood all your life, but...

Trust no friend without faults, and love a woman, but no angel.

Trust no friend without faults, and love a woman, but no angel.

Pleasure resorts are like film stars and royalty... embarrassed by the figures they cut in...

Pleasure resorts are like film stars and royalty... embarrassed by the figures they cut in...

We use our parents like recurring dreams, to be entered into when needed.

We use our parents like recurring dreams, to be entered into when needed.

That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you've understood all your life, but...

That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you've understood all your life, but...

There are no laws for the novel. There never have been, nor can there ever...

There are no laws for the novel. There never have been, nor can there ever...

Space or science fiction has become a dialect for our time.

Space or science fiction has become a dialect for our time.

It is the mark of great people to treat trifles as trifles and important matters...

It is the mark of great people to treat trifles as trifles and important matters...