I have never thought of myself as a good writer. Anyone who wants reassurance of that should read one of my first drafts. But I'm one of the world's great rewriters.
James A. MichenerRead
The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he's always doing both.
Interpretation
True mastery in life involves blending work and play seamlessly.
In this quote, James A. Michener reflects on the idea that a true master of living does not compartmentalize different aspects of life such as work and play, or mind and body. Instead, they integrate these elements into a unified experience, pursuing excellence in all endeavors without the need for others to label them as either work or leisure. This perspective highlights the importance of passion and commitment in achieving a fulfilling life.
In practice
During a motivational speech about finding balance in life.
I have never thought of myself as a good writer. Anyone who wants reassurance of that should read one of my first drafts. But I'm one of the world's great rewriters.
Whenever I start a book, I swear it's going to be a short one. But then it's, 'Who was his grandfather? And how did he get there in the first place? And what kind of animals is he chasing?'
Rampaging horsemen can conquer; only the city can civilize.
I think the crucial thing in the writing career is to find what you want to do and how you fit in. What somebody else does is of no concern whatever except as an interesting variation.
If a man happens to find himself, he has a mansion which he can inhabit with dignity all the days of his life.
I was brought up in the great tradition of the late nineteenth century: that a writer never complains, never explains and never disdains.
One gains universal applause who mingles the useful with the agreeable, at once delighting and instructing the reader.
Knowledge is realizing that the street is one way; wisdom is looking in both directions anyway.
The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have their faults, and everyone sees them; they change and everyone looks up to them.
You must bring out of each word its practical cash-value, set it at work within the stream of your experience.
Complaining begets more complaints. Anger begets more anger. And optimism begets more optimism.
Job never saw why he suffered, but he saw God, and that was enough.
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