--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I shun authors, and would never have been…" description: "\"I shun authors, and would never have been one myself, if it obliged me to keep such bad company.\" — Horace Walpole" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5b/horace-walpole-3357_authors_i-shun-authors-and-would-never-have-been_2690664.jpg" --- # I shun authors, and would never have been one myself, if… ![“I shun authors, and would never have been one myself, if it obliged me to keep such bad company.” quote by Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5b/horace-walpole-3357_authors_i-shun-authors-and-would-never-have-been_2690664.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5b/horace-walpole-3357_authors_i-shun-authors-and-would-never-have-been_2690664.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5b/horace-walpole-3357_authors_i-shun-authors-and-would-never-have-been_2690664.jpg) > “I shun authors, and would never have been one myself, if it obliged me to keep such bad company.” [Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He avoids becoming an author to prevent associating with undesirable companions. **In simple terms:** He shuns authorship to avoid bad company. Key Takeaway Choose circles wisely. Themes social influence literary culture personal values Mood reflective cautious Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - career choices - social networking - personal development Key Concepts friendship reputation Questions to Reflect On - How does one's profession affect social circles? - Can you separate work from companionship? A Different Perspective May limit intellectual growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Authors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authors/) [Bad company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-company/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [“For those people whose association is harmful to the Self (kusangi), there is no better respectful fear (taap) than that of satsang (spiritual company).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/for-those-people-whose-association-is-harmful-to-the-self-kusangi/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [“Announcing the intended arrival of some people is kind of like issuing a hurricane warning. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/announcing-the-intended-arrival-of-some-people-is-kind-of-like/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [To be of good quality, you have to excuse yourself from the presence of shallow and callow minded individuals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-be-of-good-quality-you-have-to-excuse-yourself-from-the-presence/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When we formed Bad Company, I looked around and asked, 'Who is the biggest rock band in the world?' The answer was undoubtedly Led…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-rodgers/when-we-formed-bad-company-i-looked-around-and-asked-who-is-the/) [Paul Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-rodgers/) > [An honest heart is not to be trusted with itself in bad company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-richardson/an-honest-heart-is-not-to-be-trusted-with-itself-in-bad-company/) [Samuel Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-richardson/) > [“Much harm may result from bad company and we are inclined by nature to follow what is worse rather than what is better.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-teresa-of-avila/much-harm-may-result-from-bad-company-and-we-are-inclined-by-nature/) [Saint Teresa of Avila](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-teresa-of-avila/) > [Sometimes we're better off alone rather than with bad company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-we-re-better-off-alone-rather-than-with-bad-company/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Plantations of good morals are easily captivated, colonized and corrupted by the pests of a bad company. Spray away bad companies and you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/plantations-of-good-morals-are-easily-captivated-colonized-and/) [israelmore ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [ “Competition is a bad company \[kusang, the company which will bring our downfall\].” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/competition-is-a-bad-company-kusang-the-company-which-will-bring-our/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [What would happen to a body that was starved, suffocated and then forced to drink poison? It would first suffer and then die an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmin-mogahed/what-would-happen-to-a-body-that-was-starved-suffocated-and-then/) [Yasmin Mogahed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmin-mogahed/) > [You don't hear things that are bad about your company unless you ask. It is easy to hear good tidings, but you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-j-watson/you-don-t-hear-things-that-are-bad-about-your-company-unless-you-ask/) [Thomas J. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-j-watson/) > [Loneliness is better than bad company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/loneliness-is-better-than-bad-company/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I got the idea for the song 'Bad Company' when I saw a poster for the Jeff Bridges movie, and it reminded of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-rodgers/i-got-the-idea-for-the-song-bad-company-when-i-saw-a-poster-for-the/) [Paul Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-rodgers/) > [Being alone sometimes is better than being with bad company and still be alone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/silence/being-alone-sometimes-is-better-than-being-with-bad-company-and-still/) [Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/silence/) > [Associate yourself with people of good quality, for it is better to be alone than in bad company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/associate-yourself-with-people-of-good-quality-for-it-is-better-to-be/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) ## More by Horace Walpole > [ René of Anjou \[(1409-80)\] painted a picture of his mistress's corpse as he found it eaten by worms on having it \[her tomb\] openedon… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-walpole/ren-of-anjou-1409-80-painted-a-picture-of-his-mistress-s-corpse-as-he/) [Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/) > [Our supreme governors, the mob.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-walpole/our-supreme-governors-the-mob/) [Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/) > [A poet who makes use of a worse word instead of a better, because the former fits the rhyme or the measure, though it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-walpole/a-poet-who-makes-use-of-a-worse-word-instead-of-a-better-because-the/) [Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/) > [Foolish writers and readers are created for each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-walpole/foolish-writers-and-readers-are-created-for-each-other/) [Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/) > [I do not dislike the French from the vulgar antipathy between neighboring nations, but for their insolent and unfounded air of superiority.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-walpole/i-do-not-dislike-the-french-from-the-vulgar-antipathy-between/) [Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/) > [Life is a farce, and should not end with a mourning scene.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-walpole/life-is-a-farce-and-should-not-end-with-a-mourning-scene/) [Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/) > [Lord Bath used to say of women, who are apt to say that they will follow their own judgment, that they could not follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-walpole/lord-bath-used-to-say-of-women-who-are-apt-to-say-that-they-will/) [Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/) > [An ancient prophecy ... pronounced, That the castle and lordship of Otranto should pass from the present family, whenever the real owner should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-walpole/an-ancient-prophecy-pronounced-that-the-castle-and-lordship-of/) [Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/) > [Plot, rules, nor even poetry, are not half so great beauties in tragedy or comedy as a just imitation of nature, of character, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-walpole/plot-rules-nor-even-poetry-are-not-half-so-great-beauties-in-tragedy/) [Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/) > [“But alas! my Lord, what is blood! what is nobility! We are all reptiles, miserable, sinful creatures. It is piety alone that can distinguish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-walpole/but-alas-my-lord-what-is-blood-what-is-nobility-we-are-all-reptiles/) [Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/) > [I do not admire politicians; but when they are excellent in their way, one cannot help allowing them their due.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-walpole/i-do-not-admire-politicians-but-when-they-are-excellent-in-their-way/) [Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/) > [Alexander at the head of the world never tasted the true pleasure that boys of his own age have enjoyed at the head of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-walpole/alexander-at-the-head-of-the-world-never-tasted-the-true-pleasure/) [Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/) > [The whole secret of life is to be interested in one thing profoundly and in a thousand things well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-walpole/the-whole-secret-of-life-is-to-be-interested-in-one-thing-profoundly/) [Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/) > [The best philosophy is to do one's duties, take the world as it comes, submit respectfully to one's lot; bless the goodness that has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-walpole/the-best-philosophy-is-to-do-one-s-duties-take-the-world-as-it-comes/) [Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/) > [Oh that I were seated as high as my ambition, I'd place my naked foot on the necks of monarchs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-walpole/oh-that-i-were-seated-as-high-as-my-ambition-i-d-place-my-naked-foot/) [Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/) [Explore all 132 Horace Walpole quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/) ## More Authors quotes > [The talk shows in the States want celebrities, not authors. In France, it is different; writers are called upon to comment on everything. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/the-talk-shows-in-the-states-want-celebrities-not-authors-in-france/) [Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) > [“Today if anything is trying to hold you back, give no attention to it. Get your hopes up, get your faith up, look up,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/today-if-anything-is-trying-to-hold-you-back-give-no-attention-to-it/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [“By their very nature, idiots do not have the intellectual capacity to identify genius. All that idiots are mentally equipped to recognize are other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dermot-davis/by-their-very-nature-idiots-do-not-have-the-intellectual-capacity-to/) [Dermot Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dermot-davis/) > [“Authors go on writing books, and so we go on reading them. It is a sad state of affairs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-aston/authors-go-on-writing-books-and-so-we-go-on-reading-them-it-is-a-sad/) [Elizabeth Aston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-aston/) > [“Intercourse is one thing, Intimacy is everything. Be encouraged”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-e-wagner/intercourse-is-one-thing-intimacy-is-everything-be-encouraged/) [Kerry E. Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-e-wagner/) > [Most of the more celebrated names among African-American authors, poets, and artists are known to the world because of their association with specific cultural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aberjhani/most-of-the-more-celebrated-names-among-african-american-authors/) [Aberjhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aberjhani/) > [“Do you read them? Faulkner, Hemingway, Fitzgerald?" "Only if I have to. I try to avoid old dead white men.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-grisham/do-you-read-them-faulkner-hemingway-fitzgerald-only-if-i-have-to-i/) [John Grisham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-grisham/) > [“Grayson: Fiction is just a lie anyway. Brianna: But it's not - it's a different kind of truth - it would be your truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-roberts/grayson-fiction-is-just-a-lie-anyway-brianna-but-it-s-not-it-s-a/) [Nora Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-roberts/) > [“How long has it been since you and me? Hugs and kisses. Blankets and snuggles. Our sparks smoldering without a fireplace. Losing time is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/2019-fidelis-o-mkparu/how-long-has-it-been-since-you-and-me-hugs-and-kisses-blankets-and/) 2019 Fidelis O Mkparu > [“Authors: The only people you thank for leaving you emotionally devastated.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/love-the-stacks-bookstore/authors-the-only-people-you-thank-for-leaving-you-emotionally/) Love The Stacks Bookstore > [“Authors, reviews are not for you. They are not for you. Authors, reviews are not for you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacia-kane/authors-reviews-are-not-for-you-they-are-not-for-you-authors-reviews/) [Stacia Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacia-kane/) > [“I like to read as much as I can from every genre. That way, I can express my love for all writers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-selinsky/i-like-to-read-as-much-as-i-can-from-every-genre-that-way-i-can/) [Jen Selinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-selinsky/) > [“He's a liar for a living, all authors are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karina-halle/he-s-a-liar-for-a-living-all-authors-are/) [Karina Halle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karina-halle/) > [“A writer writes regardless... even though... notwithstanding... despite... at any rate... anyhow... nevertheless... in the face of... undeterred by... heedless of... and because. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/a-writer-writes-regardless-even-though-notwithstanding-despite-at-any/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [“Crazy people love their Kindles.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dermot-davis/crazy-people-love-their-kindles/) [Dermot Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dermot-davis/) [Browse all 529 Authors quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authors/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I shun authors, and would never have been one myself, if it obliged me to keep such bad company.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Horace Walpole" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-walpole/i-shun-authors-and-would-never-have-been-one-myself-if-it-obliged-me/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Authors" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-walpole/i-shun-authors-and-would-never-have-been-one-myself-if-it-obliged-me/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5b/horace-walpole-3357_authors_i-shun-authors-and-would-never-have-been_2690664.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5b/horace-walpole-3357_authors_i-shun-authors-and-would-never-have-been_2690664.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5b/horace-walpole-3357_authors_i-shun-authors-and-would-never-have-been_2690664.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I shun authors, and would never have been one myself, if it obliged me to keep such bad company.” — Horace Walpole", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Horace Walpole", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I shun authors, and would never...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-walpole/i-shun-authors-and-would-never-have-been-one-myself-if-it-obliged-me/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-walpole/i-shun-authors-and-would-never-have-been-one-myself-if-it-obliged-me/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```