Answers Quote by George Eliot
“Letter-writing I imagine is counted as 'work' from which you must abstain, and I scribble this letter simply from the self-satisfied notion that you will like to hear from me. You see, I have asked no questions, which are the torture-screws of correspondence. Hence you have nothing to answer.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Middlemarch, George Eliot, 1871
The writer sees letter writing as a chore, yet writes to satisfy a desire for approval, avoiding probing questions that would demand answers.
In simple terms: Writing letters to please others without asking much.
Recognize when communication is self‑serving.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- creative writing
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Are you writing to be heard or to be understood?
- What does avoiding questions reveal about you?
It may lack genuine connection if questions are avoided.