Believe Quote by George Saunders
“I used to joke about this but I've recently realized that I really believe it: I spent many years training myself to write very slowly for pretty good money. So the idea of writing really quickly for free offends me.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2018
The author reflects on a personal belief that slow, paid writing feels more respectable than fast, free writing, revealing tension between labor value and creative speed.
In simple terms: Slow paid work feels more respectable than fast free work.
Key Takeaway
Value effort over speed.
Themes
labor
creativity
self‑perception
Mood
contemplative
introspective
Type
philosophical
personal
When to use this quote
- writing
- publishing
- freelance gigs
Key Concepts
value of work
speed vs quality
creative identity
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you equate speed with quality?
- How does payment affect your creative pride?
A Different Perspective
Fast work can be undervalued.
