Believe Quote by Joseph Epstein
“I was recently asked what it takes to become a writer. Three things, I answered: first, one must cultivate incompetence at almost every other form of profitable work. This must be accompanied, second, by a haughty contempt for all the forms of work that one has established one cannot do. To these two must be joined, third, the nuttiness to believe that other people can be made to care about your opinions and views and be charmed by the way you state them. Incompetence, contempt, lunacy—once you have these in place, you are set to go.”
About This Quote
To become a writer, one must deliberately avoid competence in other profitable fields, disdain those fields, and possess the audacity to make others care about one's ideas.
In simple terms: Incompetence, contempt, lunacy fuel writing.
Key Takeaway
Radical focus and confidence are key.
Themes
creativity
career
writing
psychology
Mood
provocative
ironic
Type
advice
satire
When to use this quote
- career changes
- artistic pursuits
- entrepreneurial ventures
Key Concepts
self‑sabotage as strategy
confidence paradox
Practical Applications
- Adopt a focused, daring mindset for creative work
Questions to Reflect On
- Is deliberate incompetence sustainable?
- Can contempt alienate potential collaborators?
A Different Perspective
This view neglects the value of interdisciplinary knowledge and sustainable livelihood.
