Quotations and Literature Forum

Whats this quote mean?

"Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of, but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards."
Robert Heinlein (1907 - 1988)

Tanks

I'm sorry peeps I'm just Sooooooooooooooooooo impacient

PLEASE ANSWER BEFORE I GO INSANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111

i dnt understand either
but maybe he's just being sarcastic..

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'One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love.'
~Sophocles

That really isn't necessary, we will answer when we see your question, which depends on when we have time.


In answer to your question I would suggest taking a look at the historical context in which this was said.

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Sanctuary: a small safe place in a troubling world

Sorry but its been days and there have been over 30 veiws sombodies got to answer

It's entirely possible that noone has a guess as to the meaning of the quote, or noone is confident enough in their interpretation to offer it as a statement of meaning.

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Sanctuary: a small safe place in a troubling world

It seems to me that sometimes we consider quotes to be designed by the author as the expression of a self-contained idea. Quotes are, by their nature, chosen by others. They are taken out of the context in which they were intended to be presented. The thought may be cogent in and of itself, but it may not be. It may just sound snappy without being complete.

The quote referred to here needs context so it makes sense. What is Heinlein's critque of the art of writing? That is the crucial context that is missing.

As he was an admirer of scientific endeavour, we could assume that he was comparing science and the art of writing. Writing could be considered a lesser pursuit and therefore something to be ashamed of. But without knowing what came before and after this phrase it is almost impossible to say with any certainty.

You may have to read the full text to understand the sentence.

When I read this quote I thought immediately of the persecution that many great writers have faced; particularly those who wrote about politically sensitive subjects. If you need an example of this, look at Socrates. He died because he was a philosopher. Writers often have beliefs. People KILL and DIE for beliefs. When you "wash your hands" of something, it means you are covering you're tracks. I do not thing that this quote was meant to be sarcastic, but to be a somber warning to those who would dare to make themselves heard.

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My name is supposed to say Ayreon, with the E before the O. This is the name of my favorite band. The name Ayroen is just a typo.

It means that there is nothing wrong nor any harm in writing but it is best kept as a secret because few may understand it. So keep it personal because some people will dispise your words of wisdom!