If there is aught of good in the style, it is the result…
“If there is aught of good in the style, it is the result of ceaseless toil in rewriting. Everything comes out wrong with me at first; but when once objectified in a crude shape, I can torture and poke and scrape and pat it till it offends me no more.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Creative work requires relentless revision; initial attempts fail, but persistent refinement leads to satisfaction.
In simple terms: Art needs endless tweaking until it feels right.
Embrace iterative creation.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- writing
- visual arts
- design
- software development
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When does refinement become over‑working?
- How to balance effort and satisfaction?
Perfection is unattainable; endless tweaking can cause burnout.