--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't keep my books around... they…" description: "\"I don't keep my books around... they would embarrass me. When I finish writing my books, I kick them in the belly, and have done with them.\" — Ludwig B..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/263/ludwig-bemelmans-35086_belly_i-don-t-keep-my-books-around-they-would_2932186.jpg" --- # I don't keep my books around... they would embarrass me… ![“I don't keep my books around... they would embarrass me. When I finish writing my books, I kick them in the belly, and have done with them.” quote by Ludwig Bemelmans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/263/ludwig-bemelmans-35086_belly_i-don-t-keep-my-books-around-they-would_2932186.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/263/ludwig-bemelmans-35086_belly_i-don-t-keep-my-books-around-they-would_2932186.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/263/ludwig-bemelmans-35086_belly_i-don-t-keep-my-books-around-they-would_2932186.jpg) > “I don't keep my books around... they would embarrass me. When I finish writing my books, I kick them in the belly, and have done with them.” [Ludwig Bemelmans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-bemelmans/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author discards finished work to avoid embarrassment, reflecting a desire for perfection and release. **In simple terms:** Discard finished work to avoid shame. Key Takeaway Accept imperfection and move on. Themes perfectionism creativity release Mood reflective lighthearted Type humorous self‑critical When to use this quote - writing process - publishing - self‑critique - artistic anxiety Key Concepts psychology literature Questions to Reflect On - Why fear embarrassment from completed work? - How can you preserve useful drafts? A Different Perspective May hinder learning from past work. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Kicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kicks/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I don't keep any copy of my books around... they would embarass me. 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Whatever you have to do to finish it, finish it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/finish-what-you-re-writing-whatever-you-have-to-do-to-finish-it/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [Sometimes I think the experience of a play is finished for me when I finish writing it. If it weren't for the need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-albee/sometimes-i-think-the-experience-of-a-play-is-finished-for-me-when-i/) [Edward Albee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-albee/) > [When I finish writing a rap verse. It's a lot like sex: You start off slow with ideas, like foreplay, and then you put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/when-i-finish-writing-a-rap-verse-it-s-a-lot-like-sex-you-start-off/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [When I'm writing a score, I'm constantly looking for ways to improve on it, even when I think it's working well. 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I'm higher on the food chain - get in my belly!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-myers/i-m-bigger-than-you-i-m-higher-on-the-food-chain-get-in-my-belly/) [Mike Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-myers/) > [I was the first to win a major with a belly putter, and I've spent hours practicing that way, so I hope they don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keegan-bradley/i-was-the-first-to-win-a-major-with-a-belly-putter-and-i-ve-spent/) [Keegan Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keegan-bradley/) > [That devilish Iron Horse, whose ear-rending neigh is heard throughout the town, has muddied the Boiling Spring with his foot, and he it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/that-devilish-iron-horse-whose-ear-rending-neigh-is-heard-throughout/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I liked the taste of beer, its live, white lather, its brass-bright depths, the sudden world through the wet-brown walls of the glass, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-thomas/i-liked-the-taste-of-beer-its-live-white-lather-its-brass-bright/) [Dylan Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-thomas/) > [“Somewhere squidgy. 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After 'Delhi Belly,' I was offered 40 'Delhi Belly's and you can't do that! So 'Revolver Rani'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vir-das/it-s-very-important-to-not-repeat-yourself-after-delhi-belly-i-was/) [Vir Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vir-das/) > [I asked these Indians: "Do men ever make Chicha?" My question was met with gales of laughter. The women howled. Bent over in hilarity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-d-eames/i-asked-these-indians-do-men-ever-make-chicha-my-question-was-met/) [Alan D. Eames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-d-eames/) > [Wit, like the Belly, if it be not fed, Will starve the Members, and distract the Head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-defoe/wit-like-the-belly-if-it-be-not-fed-will-starve-the-members-and/) [Daniel Defoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-defoe/) > [After three years down here, I've not learned too much. 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