--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The worst thing that ever happened to…" description: "\"The worst thing that ever happened to writing is that it became a business, The purpose of business is to make money, and to achieve that end it is nec..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a29/dagobert-d-runes-31076_achieve_the-worst-thing-that-ever-happened-to-wr_2345266.jpg" --- # The worst thing that ever happened to writing is that it… ![“The worst thing that ever happened to writing is that it became a business, The purpose of business is to make money, and to achieve that end it is necessary to please as many people as possible, to amuse them, to entertain them - in short, to do everything that will help increase the volume of…” quote by Dagobert D. Runes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a29/dagobert-d-runes-31076_achieve_the-worst-thing-that-ever-happened-to-wr_2345266.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a29/dagobert-d-runes-31076_achieve_the-worst-thing-that-ever-happened-to-wr_2345266.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a29/dagobert-d-runes-31076_achieve_the-worst-thing-that-ever-happened-to-wr_2345266.jpg) > “The worst thing that ever happened to writing is that it became a business, The purpose of business is to make money, and to achieve that end it is necessary to please as many people as possible, to amuse them, to entertain them - in short, to do everything that will help increase the volume of sales.” [Dagobert D. Runes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dagobert-d-runes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing turned into a commercial enterprise, prioritizing profit over artistic integrity, which can dilute creative purpose. **In simple terms:** Writing became a profit‑driven activity, harming its art. Key Takeaway Focus on craft, not sales. Themes art commercialism creativity integrity Mood cynical reflective Type critical analytical When to use this quote - publishing - advertising - content creation - freelance writing - self‑publishing Key Concepts capitalism audience expectations artistic compromise Questions to Reflect On - How can writers stay true to their voice while earning a living? - What values should guide creative work? A Different Perspective Profit motives can stifle authentic expression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Achieve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/achieve/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Business Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business-make/) [Business Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business-purpose-530884/) [Ends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ends/) [Happened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happened/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Increase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/increase/) [Making money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-money/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Please](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/please/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Purpose Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose-business-286734/) [Purpose of business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose-of-business-151598/) [Volume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/volume/) [Worst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worst/) [Worst thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worst-thing/) [Worst things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worst-things/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-business-562123/) ## Related quotes > [Every product and service is sold on the promise of a better future. The purpose of business is to deliver on the promise, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/every-product-and-service-is-sold-on-the-promise-of-a-better-future/) [Patrick Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dixon/) > [To separate the purpose of a business from the purpose of people who are in the business is, I think, not a good thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/to-separate-the-purpose-of-a-business-from-the-purpose-of-people-who/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) > [Business purpose and business mission are so rarely given adequate thought is perhaps the most important cause of business frustration and failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/business-purpose-and-business-mission-are-so-rarely-given-adequate/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [The purpose of business is to make a reasonable return by making products and services that people want and value. If you are not,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-mulally/the-purpose-of-business-is-to-make-a-reasonable-return-by-making/) [Alan Mulally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-mulally/) > [The rest and the spell of sleep in the middle of the day refresh the human frame far more than a long night. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-rest-and-the-spell-of-sleep-in-the-middle-of-the-day-refresh-the/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve. Thoughts are things! And powerful things at that, when mixed with definiteness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/whatever-the-mind-of-man-can-conceive-and-believe-it-can-achieve-2/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [It is a commonplace executive observation that businesses exist to make money, and the observation is usually allowed to go unchallenged. It is, however,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-katz/it-is-a-commonplace-executive-observation-that-businesses-exist-to/) [Daniel Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-katz/) > [If you can’t run, walk; if you can’t walk, crawl, but keep moving forward!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/if-you-can-t-run-walk-if-you-can-t-walk-crawl-but-keep-moving-forward/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [For millennials, conducting business with a purpose that goes beyond making profits is critically important in determining the kind of company they want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/punit-renjen/for-millennials-conducting-business-with-a-purpose-that-goes-beyond/) [Punit Renjen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/punit-renjen/) > [“There is only one valid definition of business purpose: to create a customer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-f-drucker/there-is-only-one-valid-definition-of-business-purpose-to-create-a/) [Peter F. Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-f-drucker/) > [Business enterprise is an organ of society. There is only one valid definition of business purpose: to create a customer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/business-enterprise-is-an-organ-of-society-there-is-only-one-valid/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [Comedy is a serious business. A serious business with only one purpose--to make people laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-c-fields/comedy-is-a-serious-business-a-serious-business-with-only-one-purpose/) [W. C. Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-c-fields/) > [The basic definition of the business and of its purpose and mission have to be translated into objectives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/the-basic-definition-of-the-business-and-of-its-purpose-and-mission/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [I'm in the music business for one purpose - to make money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-king-cole/i-m-in-the-music-business-for-one-purpose-to-make-money/) [Nat King Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-king-cole/) > [“writing is serious business and not for any stray bastard that wants to try it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/writing-is-serious-business-and-not-for-any-stray-bastard-that-wants/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) ## More by Dagobert D. Runes > [If God could make angels, why did he bother with men?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dagobert-d-runes/if-god-could-make-angels-why-did-he-bother-with-men/) [Dagobert D. Runes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dagobert-d-runes/) > [Fate is what Heaven imparts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dagobert-d-runes/fate-is-what-heaven-imparts/) [Dagobert D. Runes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dagobert-d-runes/) > [Cover the earth, before it covers you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dagobert-d-runes/cover-the-earth-before-it-covers-you/) [Dagobert D. Runes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dagobert-d-runes/) > [Traditional history appears to be the defacto recognition of every evil deed that failed to be stopped or eliminated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dagobert-d-runes/traditional-history-appears-to-be-the-defacto-recognition-of-every/) [Dagobert D. Runes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dagobert-d-runes/) > [Everything Hitler did to the Jews, all the horribly unspeakable misdeeds, had already been done to the smitten people before by the Christian churches.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dagobert-d-runes/everything-hitler-did-to-the-jews-all-the-horribly-unspeakable/) [Dagobert D. Runes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dagobert-d-runes/) > [Work is man's most natural form of relaxation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dagobert-d-runes/work-is-man-s-most-natural-form-of-relaxation/) [Dagobert D. Runes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dagobert-d-runes/) > [Life is so crowded with every day. It takes great effort to step aside and just watch and think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dagobert-d-runes/life-is-so-crowded-with-every-day-it-takes-great-effort-to-step-aside/) [Dagobert D. Runes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dagobert-d-runes/) > [Those who can't give friendship will rarely receive it and never hold it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dagobert-d-runes/those-who-can-t-give-friendship-will-rarely-receive-it-and-never-hold/) [Dagobert D. Runes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dagobert-d-runes/) > [You cannot train a horse with shouts and expect it to obey a whisper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dagobert-d-runes/you-cannot-train-a-horse-with-shouts-and-expect-it-to-obey-a-whisper/) [Dagobert D. Runes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dagobert-d-runes/) > [Happy the man who gains sagacity in youth, but thrice happy he who retains the fervour of youth in age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dagobert-d-runes/happy-the-man-who-gains-sagacity-in-youth-but-thrice-happy-he-who/) [Dagobert D. Runes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dagobert-d-runes/) > [Compassion is the only one of the human emotions the Lord permitted Himself and it has carried the divine flavor ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dagobert-d-runes/compassion-is-the-only-one-of-the-human-emotions-the-lord-permitted/) [Dagobert D. Runes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dagobert-d-runes/) > [That we have great men in our time and recent times is not because of our educational system, but rather in spite of it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dagobert-d-runes/that-we-have-great-men-in-our-time-and-recent-times-is-not-because-of/) [Dagobert D. Runes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dagobert-d-runes/) > [People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dagobert-d-runes/people-travel-to-faraway-places-to-watch-in-fascination-the-kind-of/) [Dagobert D. Runes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dagobert-d-runes/) > [Dictators long ago found out it is easier to unite people in common hatred than common love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dagobert-d-runes/dictators-long-ago-found-out-it-is-easier-to-unite-people-in-common/) [Dagobert D. Runes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dagobert-d-runes/) > [Hesitancy in judgment is the only true mark of the thinker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dagobert-d-runes/hesitancy-in-judgment-is-the-only-true-mark-of-the-thinker/) [Dagobert D. Runes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dagobert-d-runes/) [Explore all 16 Dagobert D. Runes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dagobert-d-runes/) ## More Achieve quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I love playing for my country, getting the support. Especially for the kids and everybody, showing my example of what I can achieve so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-sharapova/i-love-playing-for-my-country-getting-the-support-especially-for-the/) [Maria Sharapova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-sharapova/) > [Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/human-beings-have-an-innate-inner-drive-to-be-autonomous-self/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [Focus on becoming more to achieve more while doing less](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/focus-on-becoming-more-to-achieve-more-while-doing-less/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [I hope that the Palestinians don't make the mistake of unleashing a new intifada. They've tried it twice before, and the consequences were bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-segev/i-hope-that-the-palestinians-don-t-make-the-mistake-of-unleashing-a/) [Tom Segev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-segev/) > [I'm a film guy. I love it. When I read the screenplay, I knew that there would be no HD camera that could achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deon-taylor/i-m-a-film-guy-i-love-it-when-i-read-the-screenplay-i-knew-that-there/) [Deon Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deon-taylor/) > [One achieves true human dignity only when one serves. Only he is great who subjects himself to taking part in the achievement of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-antonio-primo-de-rivera/one-achieves-true-human-dignity-only-when-one-serves-only-he-is-great/) [Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-antonio-primo-de-rivera/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Governments follow their people. A great deal has to do with the vision of the leadership of governments. They have a vision, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-khurshid/governments-follow-their-people-a-great-deal-has-to-do-with-the/) [Salman Khurshid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-khurshid/) > [To achieve victory we must mass our forces at the hub of all power & movement. 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