--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Literary gentlemen, editors, and critics…" description: "\"Literary gentlemen, editors, and critics think that they know how to write, because they have studied grammar and rhetoric; but they are egregiously mi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf0/henry-david-thoreau-20_action_literary-gentlemen-editors-and-critics-t_2934776.jpg" --- # Literary gentlemen, editors, and critics think that they… ![“Literary gentlemen, editors, and critics think that they know how to write, because they have studied grammar and rhetoric; but they are egregiously mistaken. The art of composition is as simple as the discharge of a bullet from a rifle, and its masterpieces imply an infinitely greater force…” quote by Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf0/henry-david-thoreau-20_action_literary-gentlemen-editors-and-critics-t_2934776.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf0/henry-david-thoreau-20_action_literary-gentlemen-editors-and-critics-t_2934776.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf0/henry-david-thoreau-20_action_literary-gentlemen-editors-and-critics-t_2934776.jpg) > “Literary gentlemen, editors, and critics think that they know how to write, because they have studied grammar and rhetoric; but they are egregiously mistaken. The art of composition is as simple as the discharge of a bullet from a rifle, and its masterpieces imply an infinitely greater force behind them.” [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing skill is like firing a rifle; the act is simple, but mastery requires powerful underlying force. **In simple terms:** Writing is simple, but great work needs deeper force. Key Takeaway Develop inner conviction and purpose to strengthen your writing. Themes writing skill power Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - creative writing - journalism - academic papers - public speeches Key Concepts craftsmanship expression discipline Questions to Reflect On - What inner motivations drive your best writing? - How can you cultivate that deeper force? A Different Perspective Technical skill alone isn’t enough without passion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Behinds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behinds/) [Bullets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bullets/) [Composition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/composition/) [Critics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critics/) [Discharge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discharge/) [Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/editors/) [Editors Critics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/editors-critics-4345192/) [Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/force/) [Gentleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleman/) [Grammar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grammar/) [Grammar Rhetoric](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grammar-rhetoric-3326722/) [Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater/) [Know how](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-how/) [Know Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-write/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Masterpiece](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/masterpiece/) [Mistaken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistaken/) [Rhetoric](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rhetoric/) [Rhetoric Egregiously](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rhetoric-egregiously-4345191/) [Rifles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rifles/) [Simple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simple/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Violence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violence/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [If you write something and they all tell you it is bad - editors, critics, everybody - think it over and you may become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-ueland/if-you-write-something-and-they-all-tell-you-it-is-bad-editors/) [Brenda Ueland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-ueland/) > [Don't be dismayed by the opinions of editors, or critics. 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