--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I really believe that if I were not a…" description: "\"“I really believe that if I were not a writer, not a creator, not an experimenter, I might have been a very faithful wife. I think highly of faithfulne..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/283/anais-nin-288_faithful-wife_i-really-believe-that-if-i-were-not-a-wr_1185969.jpg" --- # I really believe that if I were not a writer, not a… ![“I really believe that if I were not a writer, not a creator, not an experimenter, I might have been a very faithful wife. I think highly of faithfulness. But my temperament belongs to the writer, not to the woman. Such a separation may seem childish, but it is possible. Subtract the overintensity…” quote by Anaïs Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/283/anais-nin-288_faithful-wife_i-really-believe-that-if-i-were-not-a-wr_1185969.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/283/anais-nin-288_faithful-wife_i-really-believe-that-if-i-were-not-a-wr_1185969.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/283/anais-nin-288_faithful-wife_i-really-believe-that-if-i-were-not-a-wr_1185969.jpg) > ““I really believe that if I were not a writer, not a creator, not an experimenter, I might have been a very faithful wife. I think highly of faithfulness. But my temperament belongs to the writer, not to the woman. Such a separation may seem childish, but it is possible. Subtract the overintensity, the sizzling of ideas, and you get a woman who loves perfection. And faithfulness is one of the perfections. It seems stupid and unintelligent to me now because I have bigger plans in mind. Perfection is static, and I am in full progress. The faithful wife is only one phase, one moment, one metamorphosis, one condition.”” [Anaïs Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker sees faithfulness as a limited, static role, contrasting it with the dynamic, evolving nature of a writer’s creative drive. **In simple terms:** Faithfulness is static; writing is progressive. Key Takeaway Embrace growth over static roles. Themes creativity identity faithfulness growth Mood reflective determined Type philosophical personal When to use this quote - career decisions - personal relationships - creative projects - life planning Key Concepts self‑actualization role conflict perfectionism Questions to Reflect On - Do you prioritize growth over stability? - How can you balance commitment with personal evolution? A Different Perspective Static fidelity may hinder personal development. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Faithful wife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faithful-wife/) [Faithfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faithfulness/) [Faithfulness Perfections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faithfulness-perfections-3497670/) [Faithfulness Temperament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faithfulness-temperament-2431038/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Perfection Faithfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection-faithfulness-3497669/) [Trust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trust/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I really believe that if I were not a writer, not a creator, not an experimenter, I might have been a very faithful wife.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-really-believe-that-if-i-were-not-a-writer-not-a-creator-not-an-2/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [We're not called to perfection but to faithfulness. Sinlessness in this life isn't possible, but obedience unto godliness is. Sanctification.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-camp/we-re-not-called-to-perfection-but-to-faithfulness-sinlessness-in/) [Steve Camp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-camp/) > [“I really believe that if I were not a writer, not a creator, not an experimenter, I might have been a very faithful wife.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-really-believe-that-if-i-were-not-a-writer-not-a-creator-not-an/) [Anaïs Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [A moderately honest man with a moderately faithful wife, moderate drinkers both, in a moderately healthy house: that is the true middle class unit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/a-moderately-honest-man-with-a-moderately-faithful-wife-moderate/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [What is the most profitable? Fellowship with the good. What is the worst thing in the world? The society of evil men. What is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhartrhari/what-is-the-most-profitable-fellowship-with-the-good-what-is-the/) [Bhartrhari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhartrhari/) > [Women are books, and men the readers be, Who sometimes in those books erratas see; Yet oft the reader's raptured with each line, Fair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/women-are-books-and-men-the-readers-be-who-sometimes-in-those-books/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“The Things that Cause a Quiet Life My friend, the things that do attain The happy life be these, I find: The riches left,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-howard-earl-of-surrey-2/the-things-that-cause-a-quiet-life-my-friend-the-things-that-do/) [Henry Howard Earl of Surrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-howard-earl-of-surrey-2/) > [“A man must be faithful to God, so he can be faithful to his wife.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/a-man-must-be-faithful-to-god-so-he-can-be-faithful-to-his-wife/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [A wife who is 85 percent faithful to her husband is not faithful at all. There is no such thing as part-time loyalty to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/a-wife-who-is-85-percent-faithful-to-her-husband-is-not-faithful-at/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [I haven't been faithful to my wife. Our marriage has been tainted with my infidelities. I was irresponsible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-boreanaz/i-haven-t-been-faithful-to-my-wife-our-marriage-has-been-tainted-with/) [David Boreanaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-boreanaz/) > [“Had I life to live over, I see now where I could do more; but neighbour, believe me, my highest aspiration is to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-stratton-porter-2/had-i-life-to-live-over-i-see-now-where-i-could-do-more-but-neighbour/) [Gene Stratton Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-stratton-porter-2/) > [Relationships why can't they be easy??? maybe the lies, the cheating, money, the fights and the jealousy... There is always some1 out there willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mccarty/relationships-why-can-t-they-be-easy-maybe-the-lies-the-cheating/) [Kevin Mccarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-mccarty/) > [“Like your marriage, everything in the universe is trying to find its orbit. In the midst of this constant readjustment, both partners should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/like-your-marriage-everything-in-the-universe-is-trying-to-find-its/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [Thou slanting rain! Thou Hebe of the Skies, That pours out drink to Earth; thou faithful wife That with moist tears embraces her prone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-batchelder-greene/thou-slanting-rain-thou-hebe-of-the-skies-that-pours-out-drink-to/) [William Batchelder Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-batchelder-greene/) > [This was one of the greatest test of his faith he had ever experienced. The thought of deceiving the kind and faithful wife of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/this-was-one-of-the-greatest-test-of-his-faith-he-had-ever/) [Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/) ## More by Anaïs Nin > [I wanted to remember in order to be able to return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-wanted-to-remember-in-order-to-be-able-to-return/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [“…For love it is never the same. What goes on inside is never the same just like this music which changes every instant. For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/for-love-it-is-never-the-same-what-goes-on-inside-is-never-the-same/) [Anaïs Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Jazz is the music of the body. The breath comes through brass. It is the body's breath, and the strings' wails and moans are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/jazz-is-the-music-of-the-body-the-breath-comes-through-brass-it-is/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [I have so strong a sense of creation, of tomorrow, that I cannot get drunk, knowing I will be less alive, less well, less…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-have-so-strong-a-sense-of-creation-of-tomorrow-that-i-cannot-get/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [We don't have a language for the senses. Feelings are images, sensations are like musical sounds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/we-don-t-have-a-language-for-the-senses-feelings-are-images/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Strange, isn't it, that no chemical will give a human being the iridescence that illusions have given them? Give me your hat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/strange-isn-t-it-that-no-chemical-will-give-a-human-being-the/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [The personal, if it is deep enough, becomes universal, mythical, symbolic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/the-personal-if-it-is-deep-enough-becomes-universal-mythical-symbolic/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Introspection is a devouring monster. You have to feed it with much material, much experience, many people, many places, many loves, many creations, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/introspection-is-a-devouring-monster-you-have-to-feed-it-with-much/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [In each studio there is a human being dressed in the full regalia of his myth fearing to expore a vulnerable opening, spreading not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/in-each-studio-there-is-a-human-being-dressed-in-the-full-regalia-of/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [I don't mind working, holding my ground intellectually, artistically; but as a woman, oh, God, as a woman I want to be dominated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-don-t-mind-working-holding-my-ground-intellectually-artistically/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [“Laughter and tears are not separate experiences, with intervals of rest: they rush out together and it is like walking with a sword between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/laughter-and-tears-are-not-separate-experiences-with-intervals-of/) [Anaïs Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [The basis of insincerity is the idealized image we hold of ourselves and wish to impose on others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/the-basis-of-insincerity-is-the-idealized-image-we-hold-of-ourselves/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [I write emotional algebra.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-write-emotional-algebra/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [The role of the writer is not to say what we can all say, but what we are unable to say. Most of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/the-role-of-the-writer-is-not-to-say-what-we-can-all-say-but-what-we/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [I say quotations are literary. They are good only when dealing with ideas, not with experience. Experience should be pure, unique.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-say-quotations-are-literary-they-are-good-only-when-dealing-with/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) [Explore all 715 Anaïs Nin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) ## More Faithful wife quotes > [This was one of the greatest test of his faith he had ever experienced. The thought of deceiving the kind and faithful wife of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-f-whitney/this-was-one-of-the-greatest-test-of-his-faith-he-had-ever/) [Orson F. Whitney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-f-whitney/) > [Thou slanting rain! Thou Hebe of the Skies, That pours out drink to Earth; thou faithful wife That with moist tears embraces her prone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-batchelder-greene/thou-slanting-rain-thou-hebe-of-the-skies-that-pours-out-drink-to/) [William Batchelder Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-batchelder-greene/) > [“Like your marriage, everything in the universe is trying to find its orbit. In the midst of this constant readjustment, both partners should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/like-your-marriage-everything-in-the-universe-is-trying-to-find-its/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [Relationships why can't they be easy??? maybe the lies, the cheating, money, the fights and the jealousy... There is always some1 out there willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mccarty/relationships-why-can-t-they-be-easy-maybe-the-lies-the-cheating/) [Kevin Mccarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-mccarty/) > [“I really believe that if I were not a writer, not a creator, not an experimenter, I might have been a very faithful wife.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-really-believe-that-if-i-were-not-a-writer-not-a-creator-not-an/) [Anaïs Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [“Had I life to live over, I see now where I could do more; but neighbour, believe me, my highest aspiration is to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-stratton-porter-2/had-i-life-to-live-over-i-see-now-where-i-could-do-more-but-neighbour/) [Gene Stratton Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-stratton-porter-2/) > [I haven't been faithful to my wife. Our marriage has been tainted with my infidelities. I was irresponsible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-boreanaz/i-haven-t-been-faithful-to-my-wife-our-marriage-has-been-tainted-with/) [David Boreanaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-boreanaz/) > [A wife who is 85 percent faithful to her husband is not faithful at all. There is no such thing as part-time loyalty to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/a-wife-who-is-85-percent-faithful-to-her-husband-is-not-faithful-at/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [“A man must be faithful to God, so he can be faithful to his wife.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/a-man-must-be-faithful-to-god-so-he-can-be-faithful-to-his-wife/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“The Things that Cause a Quiet Life My friend, the things that do attain The happy life be these, I find: The riches left,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-howard-earl-of-surrey-2/the-things-that-cause-a-quiet-life-my-friend-the-things-that-do/) [Henry Howard Earl of Surrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-howard-earl-of-surrey-2/) > [I really believe that if I were not a writer, not a creator, not an experimenter, I might have been a very faithful wife.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-really-believe-that-if-i-were-not-a-writer-not-a-creator-not-an-2/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Women are books, and men the readers be, Who sometimes in those books erratas see; Yet oft the reader's raptured with each line, Fair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/women-are-books-and-men-the-readers-be-who-sometimes-in-those-books/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [What is the most profitable? Fellowship with the good. What is the worst thing in the world? The society of evil men. What is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhartrhari/what-is-the-most-profitable-fellowship-with-the-good-what-is-the/) [Bhartrhari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhartrhari/) > [A moderately honest man with a moderately faithful wife, moderate drinkers both, in a moderately healthy house: that is the true middle class unit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/a-moderately-honest-man-with-a-moderately-faithful-wife-moderate/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [“..depression still kept guard on him, and chased after him like a shadow - or like a faithful wife.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pushkin/depression-still-kept-guard-on-him-and-chased-after-him-like-a-shadow/) [Alexander Pushkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pushkin/) [Browse all 26 Faithful wife quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faithful-wife/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I really believe that if I were not a writer, not a creator, not an experimenter, I might have been a very faithful wife. I think highly of faithfulness. But my temperament belongs to the writer, not to the woman. Such a separation may seem childish, but it is possible. Subtract the overintensity, the sizzling of ideas, and you get a woman who loves perfection. And faithfulness is one of the perfections. It seems stupid and unintelligent to me now because I have bigger plans in mind. Perfection is static, and I am in full progress. 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