--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Any writer knows he has to pay for his…" description: "\"Any writer knows he has to pay for his compliments. As soon as he has said, Why, thank you, that's very generous of you, the other person clears his th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d05/mary-jane-ward-64316_compliment_any-writer-knows-he-has-to-pay-for-his-c_594260.jpg" --- # Any writer knows he has to pay for his compliments. As… ![“Any writer knows he has to pay for his compliments. As soon as he has said, Why, thank you, that's very generous of you, the other person clears his throat and dives into his own writing experiences.” quote by Mary Jane Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d05/mary-jane-ward-64316_compliment_any-writer-knows-he-has-to-pay-for-his-c_594260.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d05/mary-jane-ward-64316_compliment_any-writer-knows-he-has-to-pay-for-his-c_594260.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d05/mary-jane-ward-64316_compliment_any-writer-knows-he-has-to-pay-for-his-c_594260.jpg) > “Any writer knows he has to pay for his compliments. As soon as he has said, Why, thank you, that's very generous of you, the other person clears his throat and dives into his own writing experiences.” [Mary Jane Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jane-ward/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writers must accept criticism and move beyond flattery. **In simple terms:** Writers face honest feedback. Key Takeaway Accept critique and keep writing. Themes writing criticism humility Mood reflective encouraging Type literary motivational When to use this quote - author workshops - peer reviews - editing sessions - publishing negotiations Key Concepts literary craft self-awareness Questions to Reflect On - How do you turn critique into growth? - What separates constructive feedback from vanity? A Different Perspective Some may see criticism as discouraging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compliments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compliments/) [Generous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generous/) [Generous person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generous-person/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Pay with compliments and you will always be wealthy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dolan/pay-with-compliments-and-you-will-always-be-wealthy/) [Michael Dolan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dolan/) > [Nowadays we are all of us so hard up that the only pleasant things to pay are compliments. They’re the only things we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/nowadays-we-are-all-of-us-so-hard-up-that-the-only-pleasant-things-to/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“People who are quick to pay compliments, baby-baby, are also quick to withdraw them. But wisdom comes with age.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chika-unigwe/people-who-are-quick-to-pay-compliments-baby-baby-are-also-quick-to/) [Chika Unigwe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chika-unigwe/) > [“I firmly believe in small gestures: pay for their coffee, hold the door for strangers, over tip, smile or try to be kind even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-firmly-believe-in-small-gestures-pay-for-their-coffee-hold-the-door/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To pay compliments to the one we love is the first method of caressing, a demi-audacity venturing. A compliment is something like a kiss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/to-pay-compliments-to-the-one-we-love-is-the-first-method-of/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [Thank u for being so generous thoughtful and so true. And thank you most of all for just being u.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azgraybebly-joslan/thank-u-for-being-so-generous-thoughtful-and-so-true-and-thank-you/) Azgraybebly Joslan > [I have arrived more definitely than any other painter during his lifetime; honours shower upon me from every side; artists pay me compliments on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-auguste-renoir/i-have-arrived-more-definitely-than-any-other-painter-during-his/) [Pierre-Auguste Renoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-auguste-renoir/) > [If a writer knows enough about what he is writing about, he may omit things that he knows. The dignity of movement of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/if-a-writer-knows-enough-about-what-he-is-writing-about-he-may-omit/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [When a writer knows home in his heart, his heart must remain subtly apart from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-morris/when-a-writer-knows-home-in-his-heart-his-heart-must-remain-subtly/) [Willie Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-morris/) > [It's always incredible though when you feel like the writer knows the character intimately and can see their life sprawling away outside of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-ritchie/it-s-always-incredible-though-when-you-feel-like-the-writer-knows-the/) [Charlotte Ritchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-ritchie/) > [There ought to be some sign in a book about man, that the writer knows thoroughly one man at least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-moore-colby/there-ought-to-be-some-sign-in-a-book-about-man-that-the-writer-knows/) [Frank Moore Colby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-moore-colby/) > [“Art educates. That's why writers must know life. . .If the writer knows life, his work is often progressive, even though his own consciousness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/slawomir-mrozek/art-educates-that-s-why-writers-must-know-life-if-the-writer-knows/) slawomir mrozek > [Every writer knows that when you're imitating somebody - you know, you're sounding like Faulkner - you're doing pretty good, but your life in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/every-writer-knows-that-when-you-re-imitating-somebody-you-know-you/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [No writing effort is ever wasted. At the very least, it's practice, and a writer never knows when he or she might usefully cannibalize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/therese-fowler/no-writing-effort-is-ever-wasted-at-the-very-least-it-s-practice-and/) [Therese Fowler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/therese-fowler/) > [The writer knows his own worth, and to be overvalued can confuse and destroy him as an artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-jackson/the-writer-knows-his-own-worth-and-to-be-overvalued-can-confuse-and/) [Charles R. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-jackson/) ## More by Mary Jane Ward > [Long ago they lowered insane persons into snake pits; they thought that an experience that might drive a sane person out of his wits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jane-ward/long-ago-they-lowered-insane-persons-into-snake-pits-they-thought/) [Mary Jane Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jane-ward/) > [Once you've been committed to a mental institution you're considered a second-rate citizen from then on and retroactive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jane-ward/once-you-ve-been-committed-to-a-mental-institution-you-re-considered/) [Mary Jane Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jane-ward/) > [When there's more sick ones than well ones, by golly the sick ones will lock the well ones up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jane-ward/when-there-s-more-sick-ones-than-well-ones-by-golly-the-sick-ones/) [Mary Jane Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jane-ward/) > [But you do not think much about the stars. They are always there. Look at them when you have a moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jane-ward/but-you-do-not-think-much-about-the-stars-they-are-always-there-look/) [Mary Jane Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jane-ward/) [Explore all 5 Mary Jane Ward quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jane-ward/) ## More Compliment quotes > [Hot legs, bring your Mother, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-stewart/hot-legs-bring-your-mother-too/) [Rod Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-stewart/) > [I see the joy in life and I see the joy in simple things. I over-compliment. I over-praise. I over-express my feelings toward people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherry-lansing/i-see-the-joy-in-life-and-i-see-the-joy-in-simple-things-i-over/) [Sherry Lansing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherry-lansing/) > [The words I LOVE YOU, sometimes fooled us... But when someone says I TRUST YOU.. That's a better compliment, a true care with faith...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-reolope/the-words-i-love-you-sometimes-fooled-us-but-when-someone-says-i/) [Janet Reolope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-reolope/) > [Sometimes after a compliment about my characterization skills, I'm asked if I model my characters on real people. Emphatically, no. And sort of, yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/sometimes-after-a-compliment-about-my-characterization-skills-i-m/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [I've got the public. I don't care about the critics. I did at one time. I don't any more. I did when I needed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/i-ve-got-the-public-i-don-t-care-about-the-critics-i-did-at-one-time/) [LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/) > [When one is frank, one's very presence is a compliment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-moore/when-one-is-frank-one-s-very-presence-is-a-compliment/) [Marianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-moore/) > [Well, I think every now and again, some people deserve to get their butts chewed. Every now and again some people deserve a pat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/well-i-think-every-now-and-again-some-people-deserve-to-get-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We are searching for the same thing,” Stripey said. “How do you know?” Janco asked. “I read his mind.” The Sitian pointed to Ari.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-v-snyder/we-are-searching-for-the-same-thing-stripey-said-how-do-you-know/) [Maria V. Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-v-snyder/) > [“Even if you are a pompous ass with no respect for authority, you're worth fifty men, and I mean to see you in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcclellan/even-if-you-are-a-pompous-ass-with-no-respect-for-authority-you-re/) [Brian McClellan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcclellan/) > [You're better off owning 30 percent and having two amazing partners who compliment you and are equally as driven as you are than having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-dyrdek/you-re-better-off-owning-30-percent-and-having-two-amazing-partners/) [Rob Dyrdek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-dyrdek/) > [The three of us just try put our heads down and stay creative. The awards truly are just cake. It's one of those things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-scott/the-three-of-us-just-try-put-our-heads-down-and-stay-creative-the/) [Hillary Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-scott/) > [Your eyes are like two jewels in the sky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/your-eyes-are-like-two-jewels-in-the-sky/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [I've made this conscious decision to tell people on the street when I think they're wearing something great. If more people did that, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-jensen/i-ve-made-this-conscious-decision-to-tell-people-on-the-street-when-i/) [Ashley Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-jensen/) > [“Why did you decide to be an architect?" "I didn't know it then. But it's because I've never believed in God." "Come on, talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/why-did-you-decide-to-be-an-architect-i-didn-t-know-it-then-but-it-s/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [When two people compliment each other with the choice of anything, each of them generally gets that which he likes least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/when-two-people-compliment-each-other-with-the-choice-of-anything/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) Browse all 1,338 Compliment quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Any writer knows he has to pay for his compliments. As soon as he has said, Why, thank you, that's very generous of you, the other person clears his throat and dives into his own writing experiences.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mary Jane Ward" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jane-ward/any-writer-knows-he-has-to-pay-for-his-compliments-as-soon-as-he-has/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compliment" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jane-ward/any-writer-knows-he-has-to-pay-for-his-compliments-as-soon-as-he-has/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d05/mary-jane-ward-64316_compliment_any-writer-knows-he-has-to-pay-for-his-c_594260.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d05/mary-jane-ward-64316_compliment_any-writer-knows-he-has-to-pay-for-his-c_594260.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d05/mary-jane-ward-64316_compliment_any-writer-knows-he-has-to-pay-for-his-c_594260.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Any writer knows he has to pay for his compliments. As soon as he has said, Why, thank you, that's very…” — Mary Jane Ward", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Mary Jane Ward", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jane-ward/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Any writer knows he has to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jane-ward/any-writer-knows-he-has-to-pay-for-his-compliments-as-soon-as-he-has/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jane-ward/any-writer-knows-he-has-to-pay-for-his-compliments-as-soon-as-he-has/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```