Drains Quote by Donald E. Westlake
“Nothing about it interested me. Or about anything else, except making up stories. If literacy weren't so nearly universal, God knows what I'd be. A drain on the State, I shouldn't wonder.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Author interview, 1990s
He laments a lack of interest in most things, finding only storytelling compelling, and worries about being a societal burden.
In simple terms: Bored with life, finds solace in imagination.
Key Takeaway
Embrace creative writing.
Themes
boredom
creativity
self-worth
Mood
thoughtful
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career stagnation
- creative writing
- mental health
- social contribution
Key Concepts
literacy
existential dread
Questions to Reflect On
- What stories could you write to feel purpose?
- How might you channel boredom into productive art?
A Different Perspective
Creative work may not replace real-world engagement.
![“True literacy is becoming an arcane art and the nation [United States] is steadily dumbing down.” quote by Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/12a/isaac-asimov-309_arcane_true-literacy-is-becoming-an-arcane-art_1009642.jpg)
