Good writing is always a breaking of the soil, clearing…
““Good writing is always a breaking of the soil, clearing away prejudices, pulling up of sour weeds of crooked thinking, stripping the turf so as to get at what is fertile beneath. It would be amusing to carry the simile further. Those bulbs that flower in the sand and wither! The gay fiction annual that has to be planted again every year! Those experimental plants from Russia, France, and Greenwich Village that are always getting winter killed—confound 'em!—is it worth while planting them again? The stocky perennial that keeps coming up and coming up—so easy to grow and so ugly. Scarlet sage that gives a touch of fiery sin to the edge of the suburbanite's concrete walk! And then the good flowers—as honest as they are beautiful! The well-ordered gar den! The climbing rose that escapes and is the most beautiful of all!””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Writing must dig through preconceptions and discard false ideas to reveal the fertile truth beneath.
In simple terms: Good writing clears bias to reveal truth.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate honesty and depth in writing.
Themes
truth
clarity
creativity
growth
Mood
introspective
inspired
analytical
Type
literary
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- editing
- teaching writing
- creative workshops
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
critical thinking
literary analysis
metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- What biases are you clearing?
- How do you balance honesty with beauty?
A Different Perspective
May become overly critical, stifling spontaneity.