---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I had taken a doctoral degree, it…"
description: "\"If I had taken a doctoral degree, it would have stifled any writing capacity.\" — Anonymous"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79a/anonymous-1_capacity_if-i-had-taken-a-doctoral-degree-it-woul_2106396.jpg"
---

#  If I had taken a doctoral degree, it would have stifled…

![“If I had taken a doctoral degree, it would have stifled any writing capacity.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79a/anonymous-1_capacity_if-i-had-taken-a-doctoral-degree-it-woul_2106396.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79a/anonymous-1_capacity_if-i-had-taken-a-doctoral-degree-it-woul_2106396.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79a/anonymous-1_capacity_if-i-had-taken-a-doctoral-degree-it-woul_2106396.jpg)

> “If I had taken a doctoral degree, it would have stifled any writing capacity.”

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## 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 suggests that formal academic credentials could inhibit creative output.

**In simple terms:** Doctorates might stifle writing.

Key Takeaway

Consider freedom over formal titles.

Themes

creativity education identity

Mood

thoughtful inquisitive

Type

philosophical reflective

When to use this quote

- writing
- publishing
- career decisions

Key Concepts

academic pressure self‑censorship

Questions to Reflect On

- Would a degree help your craft?
- Does formal study hinder or help?

A Different Perspective

Academic training can also enhance discipline; not always limiting.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Capacity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capacity/) [Degree Stifled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/degree-stifled-4231205/) [Degrees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/degrees/) [Doctoral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctoral-723255/) [Doctoral Degree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctoral-degree-1806456/) [Stifled Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stifled-writing-4231206/) [Taken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taken/) [Taken Doctoral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taken-doctoral-4231207/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/)

## Related quotes

> [“A doctor of professional studies is a doctoral degree for working professionals.It allows you to combine your professional work with study and obtain a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pharosinstitute/a-doctor-of-professional-studies-is-a-doctoral-degree-for-working/)

[Pharosinstitute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pharosinstitute/)

> [First you document your idea. You should be comprehensive, but that doesn't mean you have to produce a doctoral thesis length plan. Rather you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-d-anthony/first-you-document-your-idea-you-should-be-comprehensive-but-that/)

[Scott D. Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-d-anthony/)

> [“Maybe this is a second doctoral program: advanced learning about life, death, marriage, mothering, family, faith, patience, prayer. My degree will be 'Doctor of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-g-hibbert-psy-d/maybe-this-is-a-second-doctoral-program-advanced-learning-about-life/)

[Christina G. Hibbert Psy.D](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-g-hibbert-psy-d/)

> [Doctoral training is devoted almost entirely to learning to do research, even though most Ph.Ds who enter academic life spend far more time teaching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-bok/doctoral-training-is-devoted-almost-entirely-to-learning-to-do/)

[Derek Bok](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-bok/)

> [If it turns out that we're doing proper science from time to time, it just happens to be that that's the most efficient way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-hyneman/if-it-turns-out-that-we-re-doing-proper-science-from-time-to-time-it/)

[Jamie Hyneman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-hyneman/)

> [“doctoral candidate in the Department of Art, Art History, and Visual Studies at Duke University, joined this project in the Fall of 2007. Collaboration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-n-davidson/doctoral-candidate-in-the-department-of-art-art-history-and-visual/)

[Cathy N. Davidson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-n-davidson/)

> [It would be suicide in the American academy to show too early an interest beyond your doctoral specialization: charges of everything from charlatanry to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-judt/it-would-be-suicide-in-the-american-academy-to-show-too-early-an/)

[Tony Judt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-judt/)

> [There is only one honest impulse at the bottom of Puritanism, and that is the impulse to punish the man with a superior capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-is-only-one-honest-impulse-at-the-bottom-of-puritanism-and-that/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Retaining our capacity for reason is common sense, but definite conclusions and beliefs keep us from seeing life as it really is at any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/retaining-our-capacity-for-reason-is-common-sense-but-definite/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Faith may be defined briefly as an illogical belief in the occurrence of the improbable… A man full of faith is simply one who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/faith-may-be-defined-briefly-as-an-illogical-belief-in-the-occurrence/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The Australian people want to help build this country into a great nation. This budget... has not realized the capacity of the Australian people.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-australian-people-want-to-help-build-this-country-into-a-great/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Genius... is the capacity to see ten things where the ordinary man sees one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/genius-is-the-capacity-to-see-ten-things-where-the-ordinary-man-sees/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Sylvia's dark eyes widened. "You are more than you appear to be" "Yes. I am a monster of Darkness, a beast," he agreed with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sylvia-s-dark-eyes-widened-you-are-more-than-you-appear-to-be-yes-i/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The plain fact is that education is itself a form of propaganda - a deliberate scheme to outfit the pupil, not with the capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-plain-fact-is-that-education-is-itself-a-form-of-propaganda-a/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/bravery-is-the-capacity-to-perform-properly-even-when-scared-half-to/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## More by Anonymous

> [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

[Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## More Capacity quotes

> [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/)

[Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/)

> [And you can't complain about kissing Emma Watson. Isn't that what everyone in the world wants to do? I've known Emma for a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-redmayne/and-you-can-t-complain-about-kissing-emma-watson-isn-t-that-what/)

[Eddie Redmayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-redmayne/)

> [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/)

[Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/)

> [Man has an almost infinite capacity for taking things and people for granted and thereby missing out on the pleasure of being grateful that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/man-has-an-almost-infinite-capacity-for-taking-things-and-people-for/)

[Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/)

> [I was only operating at about 80% of my capacity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lomu/i-was-only-operating-at-about-80-of-my-capacity/)

[Jonah Lomu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lomu/)

> [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/to-preserve-an-unclouded-capacity-for-the-enjoyment-of-life-is-an/)

[Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/)

> [Assuming normal winter weather, we currently anticipate the coal markets to remain difficult through 2015; while we always strive to operate a full capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-craft/assuming-normal-winter-weather-we-currently-anticipate-the-coal/)

[Joe Craft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-craft/)

> [Disappointment contains an appointment for doing much better. High expectations mean your higher capacity and belief in abilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasneem-hameed/disappointment-contains-an-appointment-for-doing-much-better-high/)

[Tasneem Hameed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasneem-hameed/)

> [For years mental health professionals taught people that they could be psychologically healthy without social support, that “unless you love yourself, no one else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-d-perry/for-years-mental-health-professionals-taught-people-that-they-could/)

[Bruce D. Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-d-perry/)

> [I started with the belief that every person who came to the laboratory was free to accept or to reject the dictates of authority.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-milgram/i-started-with-the-belief-that-every-person-who-came-to-the/)

[Stanley Milgram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-milgram/)

> [“Teach honesty by all means - you do know what it is, don't you?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/teach-honesty-by-all-means-you-do-know-what-it-is-don-t-you/)

[Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/)

> [Human freedom involves our capacity to pause between the stimulus and response and, in that pause, to choose the one response toward which we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/human-freedom-involves-our-capacity-to-pause-between-the-stimulus-and/)

[Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/)

> [he cult of productivity has its place, but worshipping at its altar daily robs us of the very capacity for joy and wonder that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-popova/he-cult-of-productivity-has-its-place-but-worshipping-at-its-altar/)

[Maria Popova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-popova/)

> [Can you understand why the Congress, most states and most cities refuse to pass legislation requiring the registration and licensing of any and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/can-you-understand-why-the-congress-most-states-and-most-cities/)

[Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/)

> [Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/bravery-is-the-capacity-to-perform-properly-even-when-scared-half-to/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

[Browse all 3,320 Capacity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capacity/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "If I had taken a doctoral degree, it would have stifled any writing capacity.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Anonymous"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-i-had-taken-a-doctoral-degree-it-would-have-stifled-any-writing/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Capacity"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-i-had-taken-a-doctoral-degree-it-would-have-stifled-any-writing/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79a/anonymous-1_capacity_if-i-had-taken-a-doctoral-degree-it-woul_2106396.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79a/anonymous-1_capacity_if-i-had-taken-a-doctoral-degree-it-woul_2106396.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79a/anonymous-1_capacity_if-i-had-taken-a-doctoral-degree-it-woul_2106396.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“If I had taken a doctoral degree, it would have stifled any writing capacity.” — Anonymous",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Anonymous",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "If I had taken a doctoral...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-i-had-taken-a-doctoral-degree-it-would-have-stifled-any-writing/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-i-had-taken-a-doctoral-degree-it-would-have-stifled-any-writing/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
