There is probably no hell for authors in the next world - they suffer so much from critics and publishers in this.
The pen is the tongue of the mind.
Indeed, unless a man can link his written thoughts with the everlasting wants of men, so that they shall draw more from them as wells, there is no more immortality to the thoughts and feelings of the soul than to the muscles and bones.
He who writes prose builds his temple to Fame in rubble; he who writes verses builds it in granite. - Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton, first Baron Lytton
Write to the mind and heart, and let the ear Glean after what it can.
Writers, especially when they act in a body and with one direction, have great influence on the public mind.
We are the products of editing, rather than of authorship.
He who writes prose builds his temple to Fame in rubble; he who writes verses builds it in granite.
The trade of authorship is a violent, and indestructible obsession.
The circumstance which gives authors an advantage above all these great masters, is this, that they can multiply their originals; or rather, can make copies of their works, to what number they please, which shall be as valuable as the originals themselves.
No author ever drew a character consistent to human nature, but he was forced to ascribe to it many inconsistencies.
But words are things, and a small drop of ink, Falling like dew, upon a thought, produces That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.
There are three difficulties in authorship; to write any thing worth the publishing — to find honest men to publish it — and to get sensible men to read it.
That writer does the most who gives his reader the most knowledge and takes from him the least time.
Oh, rather give me commentators plain, Who with no deep researches vex the brain; Who from the dark and doubtful love to run, And hold their glimmering tapers to the sun.
Almost anyone can be an author; the business is to collect money and fame from this state of being.
Manner is all in all, whate'er is writ,The substitute for genius, sense, and wit.
I am very averse to bringing myself forward in print, but as my account will only appear as an appendage to a former production, and as it will be confined to such topics as have connection with my authorship alone, I can hardly accuse myself of a personal intrusion.
Knowledge is the foundation and source of good writing. [Lat., Scibendi recte sapere est et principium et fons.]
The lover of letters loves power too.
or simply: