--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are two voices: the first says…" description: "\"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 ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f77/hisham-matar-4118_done_there-are-two-voices-the-first-says-writ_2562467.png" --- # There are two voices: the first says write; the second… ![“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.” quote by Hisham Matar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f77/hisham-matar-4118_done_there-are-two-voices-the-first-says-writ_2562467.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f77/hisham-matar-4118_done_there-are-two-voices-the-first-says-writ_2562467.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f77/hisham-matar-4118_done_there-are-two-voices-the-first-says-writ_2562467.png) > “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.” [Hisham Matar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hisham-matar/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Hardly Speaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hardly-speaks-1619305/) [He](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/he/) [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) [Says](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/says/) [Says Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/says-write-650557/) [Speaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speaks/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [Voices Says](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voices-says-1619306/) [Write Second](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write-second-1046150/) ## Related quotes > [In 2011, I announced that I was going to retire, and my agent panicked. So she says: 'No, no, no. 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