--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Perhaps the pleasure one feels in writing…" description: "\"Perhaps the pleasure one feels in writing is not the infallible test of the literary value of a page; perhaps it is only a secondary state which is oft..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d34/marcel-proust-114_effects_perhaps-the-pleasure-one-feels-in-writin_1422622.jpg" --- # Perhaps the pleasure one feels in writing is not the… ![“Perhaps the pleasure one feels in writing is not the infallible test of the literary value of a page; perhaps it is only a secondary state which is often superadded, but the want of which can have no prejudicial effect on it. Perhaps some of the greatest masterpieces were written while yawning.” quote by Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d34/marcel-proust-114_effects_perhaps-the-pleasure-one-feels-in-writin_1422622.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d34/marcel-proust-114_effects_perhaps-the-pleasure-one-feels-in-writin_1422622.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d34/marcel-proust-114_effects_perhaps-the-pleasure-one-feels-in-writin_1422622.jpg) > “Perhaps the pleasure one feels in writing is not the infallible test of the literary value of a page; perhaps it is only a secondary state which is often superadded, but the want of which can have no prejudicial effect on it. Perhaps some of the greatest masterpieces were written while yawning.” [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The joy of writing may not measure a text’s value; pleasure is secondary and does not bias quality, and even great works can be created in uninspired moments. **In simple terms:** Writing pleasure isn’t the true test of quality. Key Takeaway Value the work, not the writer’s enjoyment. Themes creativity literary value process of art subjectivity inspiration Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - authoring a novel - academic writing - blogging - creative workshops - self‑reflection Key Concepts aesthetic judgment creative process Questions to Reflect On - Do you write for joy or for impact? - Can a work be great despite the author’s boredom? A Different Perspective Pleasure can mislead authors about quality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Masterpiece](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/masterpiece/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Tests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tests/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [How often I have tried to tell writing students that the first thing a writer must do is love the reader and wish the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-gilchrist/how-often-i-have-tried-to-tell-writing-students-that-the-first-thing/) [Ellen Gilchrist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-gilchrist/) > [“Pleasure. This is what true pleasure feels like. It's not just the softness of a kiss. 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