--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: While an author is yet living we estimate…" description: "\"While an author is yet living we estimate his powers by his worst performance, and when he is dead we rate them by his best\" — Anonymous" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd0/anonymous-1_books_while-an-author-is-yet-living-we-estimat_1164336.jpg" --- # While an author is yet living we estimate his powers by… ![“While an author is yet living we estimate his powers by his worst performance, and when he is dead we rate them by his best” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd0/anonymous-1_books_while-an-author-is-yet-living-we-estimat_1164336.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd0/anonymous-1_books_while-an-author-is-yet-living-we-estimat_1164336.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd0/anonymous-1_books_while-an-author-is-yet-living-we-estimat_1164336.jpg) > “While an author is yet living we estimate his powers by his worst performance, and when he is dead we rate them by his best” [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. We judge living creators by their failures, yet judge the dead by their greatest achievements. **In simple terms:** We judge the living by flaws, the dead by highlights. Key Takeaway Recognize bias in assessing legacy. Themes legacy judgment bias perception Mood reflective critical Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - art criticism - historical analysis - personal reflection - career retrospectives Key Concepts evaluation mortality reputation Questions to Reflect On - How does this bias affect our view of history? - Can we fairly assess a person's whole work? A Different Perspective Ignores consistent quality across a life. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Author Living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/author-living-2167373/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Dead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dead/) [Estimate Powers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/estimate-powers-2167374/) [Humour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humour/) [Literature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literature/) [Performance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performance/) [Powers Worst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/powers-worst-2167372/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [While an author is yet living, we estimate his powers by his worst performance; and when he is dead, we rate him by his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/while-an-author-is-yet-living-we-estimate-his-powers-by-his-worst/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Between the reputation of the author living and the reputation of the same author dead there is ever a wide discrepancy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bailey-aldrich/between-the-reputation-of-the-author-living-and-the-reputation-of-the/) [Thomas Bailey Aldrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bailey-aldrich/) > [Breath in the music and breath out your performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/breath-in-the-music-and-breath-out-your-performance/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Performance stands out like a ton of diamonds. Nonperformance can always be explained away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/performance-stands-out-like-a-ton-of-diamonds-nonperformance-can/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you want a high performance woman, I can go from zero to b\*\*\*\* in less than 2.1 seconds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-want-a-high-performance-woman-i-can-go-from-zero-to-b-in-less/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Plots are for dead people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/plots-are-for-dead-people/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you can't live without me, why aren't you dead already?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-can-t-live-without-me-why-aren-t-you-dead-already/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“NEW YORK- A 2-yearold girl who wandered away from a holiday weekend family barbecue in a city park was found dead in a lake…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/new-york-a-2-yearold-girl-who-wandered-away-from-a-holiday-weekend/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't see dead people, I see people I wish were dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-don-t-see-dead-people-i-see-people-i-wish-were-dead/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I used up all my sick days, so I'm calling in dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-used-up-all-my-sick-days-so-i-m-calling-in-dead/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“He's dead Jim.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/he-s-dead-jim/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Most people are dead. Hitler. Ray Charles. Some other guys. But mostly those two.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/most-people-are-dead-hitler-ray-charles-some-other-guys-but-mostly/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Its not suicide if you already dead inside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/its-not-suicide-if-you-already-dead-inside/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Dead men tell no tales, Mary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dead-men-tell-no-tales-mary/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If everyone likes you, then either no one knows anything about you or you're dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-everyone-likes-you-then-either-no-one-knows-anything-about-you-or/) [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 Books quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! 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Some fine day you'll die of a misprint.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-herz/be-careful-about-reading-health-books-some-fine-day-you-ll-die-of-a/) [Markus Herz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-herz/) > [But editors are still the world's readers. And thus the eyes of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/but-editors-are-still-the-world-s-readers-and-thus-the-eyes-of-the/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) [Browse all 59,485 Books quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "While an author is yet living we estimate his powers by his worst performance, and when he is dead we rate them by his best", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Anonymous" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/while-an-author-is-yet-living-we-estimate-his-powers-by-his-worst-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Books" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/while-an-author-is-yet-living-we-estimate-his-powers-by-his-worst-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd0/anonymous-1_books_while-an-author-is-yet-living-we-estimat_1164336.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd0/anonymous-1_books_while-an-author-is-yet-living-we-estimat_1164336.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd0/anonymous-1_books_while-an-author-is-yet-living-we-estimat_1164336.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“While an author is yet living we estimate his powers by his worst performance, and when he is dead we rate…” — 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": "While an author is yet living...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/while-an-author-is-yet-living-we-estimate-his-powers-by-his-worst-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/while-an-author-is-yet-living-we-estimate-his-powers-by-his-worst-2/#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 } } ] } ```