--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I would rise, monk-like, at 6 A.M., speak…" description: "\"I would rise, monk-like, at 6 A.M., speak to no one, make tea, and go immediately to my desk from which I didn't move until frills appeared around the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/023/howard-jacobson-1484_eyes_i-would-rise-monk-like-at-6-a-m-speak-to_2931301.jpg" --- # I would rise, monk-like, at 6 A.M., speak to no one, make… ![“I would rise, monk-like, at 6 A.M., speak to no one, make tea, and go immediately to my desk from which I didn't move until frills appeared around the edges of my eyes or I heard the sound of a wine bottle being uncorked. It would give the wrong impression to describe these as Writing Days.” quote by Howard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/023/howard-jacobson-1484_eyes_i-would-rise-monk-like-at-6-a-m-speak-to_2931301.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/023/howard-jacobson-1484_eyes_i-would-rise-monk-like-at-6-a-m-speak-to_2931301.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/023/howard-jacobson-1484_eyes_i-would-rise-monk-like-at-6-a-m-speak-to_2931301.jpg) > “I would rise, monk-like, at 6 A.M., speak to no one, make tea, and go immediately to my desk from which I didn't move until frills appeared around the edges of my eyes or I heard the sound of a wine bottle being uncorked. It would give the wrong impression to describe these as Writing Days.” [Howard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-jacobson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A disciplined routine of solitude and focus can be mistaken for productivity, but true work emerges when one lets go of pretenses. **In simple terms:** Solitude and focus can be mistaken unless you Key Takeaway . Themes Embrace genuine work over appearances. Mood reflective introspective serious Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - work ethic - mindfulness - self-discipline Key Concepts discipline solitude productivity authenticity Practical Applications - creative writing - academic research - personal projects - deep work Questions to Reflect On - How does solitude affect your creativity? - When is visible better than hidden effort? A Different Perspective May become self‑imposed isolation that hinders collaboration. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eyes/) [Tea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tea/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Wrong impression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrong-impression/) ## Related quotes > [Often I have the impression that I am writing on paper that is already browning in the licks of the flames.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernst-junger/often-i-have-the-impression-that-i-am-writing-on-paper-that-is/) [Ernst Junger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernst-junger/) > [I'm just a monk, I'm like a recluse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/y-lan-noel/i-m-just-a-monk-i-m-like-a-recluse/) [Y'lan Noel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/y-lan-noel/) > [“Even if you are a monk, like my brother, passion or slaughter will meet you someday. For you cannot survive as a monk if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/even-if-you-are-a-monk-like-my-brother-passion-or-slaughter-will-meet/) [Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/) > [In my efforts to better my stamina and career, I find myself becoming more monk-like. And I'm not talking about the 'holy, praying, create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lzzy-hale/in-my-efforts-to-better-my-stamina-and-career-i-find-myself-becoming/) [Lzzy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lzzy-hale/) > [Working with Monk is like falling down a dark elevator shaft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-coltrane/working-with-monk-is-like-falling-down-a-dark-elevator-shaft/) [John Coltrane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-coltrane/) > [The hardest bits of my book to read were the easiest bits to write because they were the most immediate. Probably because I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-barr/the-hardest-bits-of-my-book-to-read-were-the-easiest-bits-to-write/) [Damian Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-barr/) > [I'm always amazed by writers who tell me they plan everything at the beginning. I feel their writing days must be very bland.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-tremain/i-m-always-amazed-by-writers-who-tell-me-they-plan-everything-at-the/) [Rose Tremain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-tremain/) > [Be ruthless about protecting writing days, i.e., do not cave in to endless requests to have "essential" and "long overdue" meetings on those days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/be-ruthless-about-protecting-writing-days-i-e-do-not-cave-in-to-2/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [Tomorrow may be hell, but today was a good writing day, and on the good writing days nothing else matters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/tomorrow-may-be-hell-but-today-was-a-good-writing-day-and-on-the-good/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [Be ruthless about protecting writing days…althoug h writing has been my actual job for several years now, I still seem to have to fight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/be-ruthless-about-protecting-writing-days-althoug-h-writing-has-been/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [I've tried writing. Two days later I'd go visit it and say, Jesus Christ, who wrote this crap?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-farina/i-ve-tried-writing-two-days-later-i-d-go-visit-it-and-say-jesus/) [Dennis Farina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-farina/) > [Be ruthless about protecting writing days, i.e., do not cave in to endless requests to have "essential" and "long overdue" meetings on those days.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-ruthless-about-protecting-writing-days-i-e-do-not-cave-in-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There are days when I should be writing, and I am so tired that I can't. And the fatigue also affects my emotions, making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-griffith/there-are-days-when-i-should-be-writing-and-i-am-so-tired-that-i-can/) [Nicola Griffith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-griffith/) > [Be ruthless about protecting writing days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/be-ruthless-about-protecting-writing-days/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [“Comstock, "but I left a wrong impression with you. I don't want”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-stratton-porter/comstock-but-i-left-a-wrong-impression-with-you-i-don-t-want/) [Gene Stratton-Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-stratton-porter/) ## More by Howard Jacobson > [Everything is allowable in literature, but what is not allowable in criticism is objection on the grounds of probability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-jacobson/everything-is-allowable-in-literature-but-what-is-not-allowable-in/) [Howard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-jacobson/) > [There's a simple arithmetical logic at work. Build more unaffordable and not always architecturally sympathetic apartments, watch the rents rise, the tarts leave, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-jacobson/there-s-a-simple-arithmetical-logic-at-work-build-more-unaffordable/) [Howard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-jacobson/) > [The novel is a thing of irony and ambiguity. That's at the heart of 'J', a world that has stopped arguing with itself. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-jacobson/the-novel-is-a-thing-of-irony-and-ambiguity-that-s-at-the-heart-of-j/) [Howard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-jacobson/) > [I was a 'reverence for life' man - 'see life steadily and see it whole' - in my days as a lecturer in English…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-jacobson/i-was-a-reverence-for-life-man-see-life-steadily-and-see-it-whole-in/) [Howard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-jacobson/) > [How Donald Trump has come so far with so few words - how he even managed to keep up conversationally with all those beauty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-jacobson/how-donald-trump-has-come-so-far-with-so-few-words-how-he-even/) [Howard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-jacobson/) > [It is a nonsense to me when people come along and tell me not to be pessimistic; or that culture has always been going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-jacobson/it-is-a-nonsense-to-me-when-people-come-along-and-tell-me-not-to-be/) [Howard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-jacobson/) > [For me a Writing Day was an occasion for self-reproach and panic, a time to lament the passing of the years, stare out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-jacobson/for-me-a-writing-day-was-an-occasion-for-self-reproach-and-panic-a/) [Howard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-jacobson/) > [Even the wordiest of men know there's a time to button it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-jacobson/even-the-wordiest-of-men-know-there-s-a-time-to-button-it/) [Howard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-jacobson/) > [That a nation's statuary will reflect beliefs and attitudes that are no longer current or congenial hardly needs arguing. In most instances, it doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-jacobson/that-a-nation-s-statuary-will-reflect-beliefs-and-attitudes-that-are/) [Howard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-jacobson/) > [“Was he a bad man or just a foolish one? He didn't feel bad to himself. As a husband he believed himself to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-jacobson/was-he-a-bad-man-or-just-a-foolish-one-he-didn-t-feel-bad-to-himself/) [Howard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-jacobson/) > [The young come in many guises: vigorous and passionate, vindictive and mean-spirited. And not every person over 65 is dozing in a retirement home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-jacobson/the-young-come-in-many-guises-vigorous-and-passionate-vindictive-and/) [Howard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-jacobson/) > [To a philosopher like Nietzsche, the Jew is culpable not for rejecting Christianity but for inventing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-jacobson/to-a-philosopher-like-nietzsche-the-jew-is-culpable-not-for-rejecting/) [Howard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-jacobson/) > [Shakespeare's always been sitting on my back, since I began reading. And, certainly, as a writer, he's who I hear all the time. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-jacobson/shakespeare-s-always-been-sitting-on-my-back-since-i-began-reading/) [Howard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-jacobson/) > [A novelist should make you realize nothing is stable. If you don't believe anything with robustness, you're doing something more radical than anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-jacobson/a-novelist-should-make-you-realize-nothing-is-stable-if-you-don-t/) [Howard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-jacobson/) > [The Stop The War Coalition is a sort of home to Jew-haters because its hate music about Israel is so catchy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-jacobson/the-stop-the-war-coalition-is-a-sort-of-home-to-jew-haters-because/) [Howard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-jacobson/) [Explore all 235 Howard Jacobson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-jacobson/) ## More Eyes quotes > [My father longed for a better life for us, and when I was nine he got a job as a heart surgeon in Belfast.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-melua/my-father-longed-for-a-better-life-for-us-and-when-i-was-nine-he-got/) [Katie Melua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-melua/) > [When I was a teen, I would draw a really, really long line around my eyes with eyeliner, like Lola Flores.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalia/when-i-was-a-teen-i-would-draw-a-really-really-long-line-around-my/) [Rosalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalia/) > [It's a great story for us whenever an entrepreneur makes a crazy amount of money and we get to tell the world about it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lacy/it-s-a-great-story-for-us-whenever-an-entrepreneur-makes-a-crazy/) [Sarah Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lacy/) > [Human beings should stick together. Honestly, if I see a red-haired person with blue eyes now, I say, 'Is your granny black?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-jones/human-beings-should-stick-together-honestly-if-i-see-a-red-haired/) [Grace Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-jones/) > [It's similar to basketball: when you go to different gyms and win or lose, you learn something new. So when kids get out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-iguodala/it-s-similar-to-basketball-when-you-go-to-different-gyms-and-win-or/) [Andre Iguodala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-iguodala/) > [When I see things through my eyes, I don't want to ever just be really negative towards someone's performance. There are many ways to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stone-cold-steve-austin/when-i-see-things-through-my-eyes-i-don-t-want-to-ever-just-be-really/) [Stone Cold Steve Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stone-cold-steve-austin/) > [My only trick to having wing liner sharp enough to cut is be careful and take your time! I have hooded eyes, so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-charles/my-only-trick-to-having-wing-liner-sharp-enough-to-cut-is-be-careful/) [James Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-charles/) > [“I fell in love with your eyes first because I looked into their depths and saw the other half of my soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-k-lilley/i-fell-in-love-with-your-eyes-first-because-i-looked-into-their/) [R.K. Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-k-lilley/) > [I think, reading about yourself through somebody else's eyes, you're always going to have your own story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-sestero/i-think-reading-about-yourself-through-somebody-else-s-eyes-you-re/) [Greg Sestero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-sestero/) > [For the Russian masses, the proletarians, knew for certain, and already saw during the war, and in part before their very eyes, that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-gorter/for-the-russian-masses-the-proletarians-knew-for-certain-and-already/) [Herman Gorter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-gorter/) > [Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-prescott/don-t-fire-until-you-see-the-whites-of-their-eyes/) [William H. Prescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-prescott/) > [Evertime I close my eyes it doesnt matter where, I always see you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patience/evertime-i-close-my-eyes-it-doesnt-matter-where-i-always-see-you/) Patience > [Look with all your eyes, look.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/look-with-all-your-eyes-look/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [It's not your mistake if you cant read the eyes which cheats you. But it's really your mistake if you cant read the eyes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-mbululo/it-s-not-your-mistake-if-you-cant-read-the-eyes-which-cheats-you-but/) [Ally Mbululo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-mbululo/) > [Kiss me with your eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/kiss-me-with-your-eyes/) [Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/) [Browse all 3,942 Eyes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eyes/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I would rise, monk-like, at 6 A.M., speak to no one, make tea, and go immediately to my desk from which I didn't move until frills appeared around the edges of my eyes or I heard the sound of a wine bottle being uncorked. 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