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You ask me. You have asked others before this. You send…

“You ask me. You have asked others before this. You send them to magazines. You compare them with other poems, and you are upset when certain editors reject your work. Now (since you have said you want my advice) I beg you to stop doing that sort of thing. You are looking outside, and that is what…” quote by Rainer Maria Rilke
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““You ask me. You have asked others before this. You send them to magazines. You compare them with other poems, and you are upset when certain editors reject your work. Now (since you have said you want my advice) I beg you to stop doing that sort of thing. You are looking outside, and that is what you should most avoid right now. No one can advise or help you — no one””

Rainer Maria Rilke

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He advises against seeking external validation and urges internal focus.

In simple terms: Stop looking for others’ approval.

Key Takeaway

Rely on your own voice and judgment.

Themes

creativity independence self‑reliance

Mood

reflective cautious

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • writing a manuscript
  • creating art
  • making career decisions
  • personal projects

Key Concepts

artistic integrity validation advice

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you balance self‑trust with constructive critique?
  • What internal standards guide you?
A Different Perspective

External feedback can still be valuable for growth.

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