Able Quote by Ernest Hemingway
“My attitude toward punctuation is that it ought to be as conventional as possible. The game of golf would lose a good deal if croquet mallets and billiard cues were allowed on the putting green. You ought to be able to show that you can do it a good deal better than anyone else with the regular tools before you have a license to bring in your own improvements.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: A Moveable Feast, 1960
He believes rules exist to ensure fairness; only after mastering them should one innovate.
In simple terms: Follow rules before changing them.
Key Takeaway
Master basics before adding personal flair.
Themes
discipline
creativity
fairness
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
advice
observational
When to use this quote
- sports
- writing
- professional licensing
- tool usage
Key Concepts
conventionalism
skill mastery
innovation
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it appropriate to break a rule?
- How do standards foster competition?
A Different Perspective
Innovation may be limited by strict adherence to tradition.
