Done Quote by Hisham Matar
“There are two voices: the first says write; the second hardly speaks, but I know what he wants. And if I let him, nothing would get done. He hovers at the edges.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, “Hisham Matar on Writing,” 2021
A writer’s inner critic can dominate, silencing creative impulse and causing paralysis.
In simple terms: The inner critic drowns out creative drive.
Key Takeaway
Listen to the quiet voice, not the loud critic.
Themes
creativity
self-doubt
inner-criticism
Mood
anxious
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing
- artistic projects
- personal decision‑making
Key Concepts
psychology
creative process
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you quiet the critic without losing useful feedback?
- What small action can you take despite doubt?
A Different Perspective
The critic can be useful if balanced, but often blocks action.
![“I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests with ZERO-G [a charter-flight service in Arlington, Va., that uses modified Boeing 727s to simulate weightlessness], which went great.” quote by Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aa1/richard-branson-256_adventure_i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-repl_903.jpg)
