--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The highest compliment one can give a…" description: "\"The highest compliment one can give a writer is not to say that one wholeheartedly agrees with his observations, but that he provoked - really, forced ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e88/glenn-greenwald-1215_about_the-highest-compliment-one-can-give-a-wr_292441.jpg" --- # The highest compliment one can give a writer is not to say… ![“The highest compliment one can give a writer is not to say that one wholeheartedly agrees with his observations, but that he provoked - really, forced - difficult thinking about consequential matters and internal questioning of one's own assumptions, often without quick or clear resolution.” quote by Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e88/glenn-greenwald-1215_about_the-highest-compliment-one-can-give-a-wr_292441.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e88/glenn-greenwald-1215_about_the-highest-compliment-one-can-give-a-wr_292441.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e88/glenn-greenwald-1215_about_the-highest-compliment-one-can-give-a-wr_292441.jpg) > “The highest compliment one can give a writer is not to say that one wholeheartedly agrees with his observations, but that he provoked - really, forced - difficult thinking about consequential matters and internal questioning of one's own assumptions, often without quick or clear resolution.” [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The best praise for a writer is when they challenge readers to question deep beliefs, not just agree with them. **In simple terms:** True praise is provoking difficult thought. Key Takeaway Seek work that unsettles you. Themes critical thinking introspection literary criticism Mood thoughtful challenging Type analytical inspirational When to use this quote - academic discussion - personal reflection - debate - writing workshops - editorial reviews Key Concepts philosophy psychology ethics Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions did the writer challenge? - How do you handle unresolved questions? A Different Perspective Provoking thought can cause discomfort and resistance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Assumptions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assumptions/) [Observations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/observations/) [Questioning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/questioning/) [Resolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resolution/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Truth Seeking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-seeking/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [The creative individual has the capacity to free himself from the web of social pressures in which the rest of us are caught. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-w-gardner/the-creative-individual-has-the-capacity-to-free-himself-from-the-web/) [John W. 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