--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The purpose of a writer is to keep…" description: "\"“The purpose of a writer is to keep civilisation from destroying itself.\" (Interview, New York Post Magazine , September 14, 1958)”\" — Bernard Malamud" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f1/bernard-malamud-3871_civilization_the-purpose-of-a-writer-is-to-keep-civil_2110086.jpg" --- # The purpose of a writer is to keep civilisation from… ![“The purpose of a writer is to keep civilisation from destroying itself." (Interview, New York Post Magazine , September 14, 1958)” quote by Bernard Malamud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f1/bernard-malamud-3871_civilization_the-purpose-of-a-writer-is-to-keep-civil_2110086.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f1/bernard-malamud-3871_civilization_the-purpose-of-a-writer-is-to-keep-civil_2110086.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f1/bernard-malamud-3871_civilization_the-purpose-of-a-writer-is-to-keep-civil_2110086.jpg) > ““The purpose of a writer is to keep civilisation from destroying itself." (Interview, New York Post Magazine , September 14, 1958)”” [Bernard Malamud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-malamud/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writers aim to protect society by exposing truths and prompting reflection. **In simple terms:** Writers guard civilization through ideas. Key Takeaway Use writing to challenge harmful narratives. Themes responsibility culture truth Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - editorial writing - fiction - public commentary Key Concepts literary influence social critique Questions to Reflect On - What role should writers play in society? - Can literature truly prevent societal decline? A Different Perspective Writing alone cannot stop destruction; systemic change required. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writers/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“If one adds a word to a blank sheet of paper but it's left on its own it means nothing. 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If it’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kemp/a-word-if-one-adds-a-word-to-a-blank-sheet-of-paper-but-leaves-it-on/) [Daniel Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kemp/) > [The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-purpose-of-a-writer-is-to-keep-civilization-from-destroying-itself/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [My purpose as a writer is to communicate in such a way as to challenge the thinking of readers and touch their hearts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/my-purpose-as-a-writer-is-to-communicate-in-such-a-way-as-to/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [“I started out hoping to remind people at some point in the novel that we should be loving and kind. 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But a dead man signs no checks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-malamud/as-long-as-a-man-stays-alive-he-can-t-tell-what-chances-will-pop-up/) [Bernard Malamud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-malamud/) > [“So sleep now, without fear for your life, and if you should ever manage to get out of prison, keep in mind that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-malamud/so-sleep-now-without-fear-for-your-life-and-if-you-should-ever-manage/) [Bernard Malamud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-malamud/) > [Children were strangers you loved because you could love. If they gave back love when they were grown you were ahead of the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-malamud/children-were-strangers-you-loved-because-you-could-love-if-they-gave/) [Bernard Malamud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-malamud/) [Explore all 114 Bernard Malamud quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-malamud/) ## More Civilization quotes > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [Sentiment is the mightiest force in civilization; not sentimentality, but sentiment. Women will bring this into politics. 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