The writer must believe that what he is doing is the most important thing in the world. And he must hold to this illusion even when he knows it is not true.

Quote by John Steinbeck

Topics: John Steinbeck Quotes

Writers are a little below clowns and a little above trained seals.

Writers are a little below clowns and a little above trained seals.

Time is the only critic without ambition.

Time is the only critic without ambition.

As happens sometimes, a moment settled and hovered and remained for much more than a...

As happens sometimes, a moment settled and hovered and remained for much more than a...

Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and...

Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and...

The profession of book-writing makes horse racing seem like a solid, stable business.

The profession of book-writing makes horse racing seem like a solid, stable business.

The profession of book writing makes horse racing seem like a solid, stable business.

The profession of book writing makes horse racing seem like a solid, stable business.

It is the nature of a man as he grows older- to protest against change,...

It is the nature of a man as he grows older- to protest against change,...

In utter loneliness a writer tries to explain the inexplicable.

In utter loneliness a writer tries to explain the inexplicable.

No one wants advice - only corroboration.

No one wants advice - only corroboration.

It has always seemed strange to me... the things we admire in men, kindness and...

It has always seemed strange to me... the things we admire in men, kindness and...

Sectional football games have the glory and the despair of war, and when a Texas...

Sectional football games have the glory and the despair of war, and when a Texas...

It is true that we are weak and sick and ugly and quarrelsome but if...

It is true that we are weak and sick and ugly and quarrelsome but if...

So in our pride we ordered for breakfast an omelet, toast and coffee and what...

So in our pride we ordered for breakfast an omelet, toast and coffee and what...

I have never smuggled anything in my life. Why, then, do I feel an uneasy...

I have never smuggled anything in my life. Why, then, do I feel an uneasy...

These words dropped into my childish mind as if you should accidentally drop a ring...

These words dropped into my childish mind as if you should accidentally drop a ring...

When I was very young and the urge to be someplace was on me, I...

When I was very young and the urge to be someplace was on me, I...

No man really knows about other human beings. The best he can do is to...

No man really knows about other human beings. The best he can do is to...

I hate cameras. They are so much more sure than I am about everything.

I hate cameras. They are so much more sure than I am about everything.

I hold that a writer who does not passionately believe in the perfectibility of man...

I hold that a writer who does not passionately believe in the perfectibility of man...

Give a critic an inch, he'll write a play.

Give a critic an inch, he'll write a play.