Blame Quote by John Berryman
“So if I were talking to a young writer, I would recommend the cultivation of extreme indifference to both praise and blame because praise will lead you to vanity, and blame will lead you to self-pity, and both are bad for writers.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Paris Review, 1970
Writers should stay emotionally detached from criticism and praise to avoid ego and self‑pity, preserving creative integrity.
In simple terms: Stay neutral to feedback to keep writing honest.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate indifference to external judgment.
Themes
creativity
ego
criticism
self‑esteem
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- personal journaling
- peer review sessions
- public readings
Key Concepts
Stoicism
psychology
artistic integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance detachment with learning from feedback?
- When does pride become a barrier?
A Different Perspective
Indifference may lead to disengagement or missed growth opportunities.
