--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As individuals, great writers from Villon…" description: "\"“As individuals, great writers from Villon to Diderot to Voltaire to Rousseau to Byron or Shelley have often shown themselves to be irresponsible, self..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fb/max-vegaritter-261595_authors_as-individuals-great-writers-from-villon_2338042.jpg" --- # As individuals, great writers from Villon to Diderot to… ![“As individuals, great writers from Villon to Diderot to Voltaire to Rousseau to Byron or Shelley have often shown themselves to be irresponsible, selfish, mean or sometimes even cowardly people. Their lives were drab or self destructive or reckless. We read them for their Words, not for their deeds.” quote by Max Vegaritter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fb/max-vegaritter-261595_authors_as-individuals-great-writers-from-villon_2338042.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fb/max-vegaritter-261595_authors_as-individuals-great-writers-from-villon_2338042.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fb/max-vegaritter-261595_authors_as-individuals-great-writers-from-villon_2338042.jpg) > ““As individuals, great writers from Villon to Diderot to Voltaire to Rousseau to Byron or Shelley have often shown themselves to be irresponsible, selfish, mean or sometimes even cowardly people. Their lives were drab or self destructive or reckless. We read them for their Words, not for their deeds.”” Max Vegaritter ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Great writers often lived flawed lives, but we value their words over deeds. **In simple terms:** Writers' lives may be flawed; their words endure. Key Takeaway Focus on the merit of ideas rather than personal flaws. Themes literature ethics authorial legacy Mood critical contemplative Type Authors:1 Deeds:0 Great writers:1 Self destructive:0 Selfish:0 Words:1 Writing:1 Irresponsible Selfish:0 Writers Villon:0 Cowardly People:0 When to use this quote - academic study - personal reflection - creative inspiration Key Concepts human imperfection artistic value Questions to Reflect On - Do you separate art from artist? - How do personal flaws affect your appreciation of work? A Different Perspective The author's personal failings can color interpretation of their work. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Authors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authors/) [Deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeds/) [Great writers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-writers/) [Self destructive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-destructive/) [Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I want to say to each of you, simply, and directly, I am deeply sorry for my irresponsible and selfish behavior I engaged in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiger-woods/i-want-to-say-to-each-of-you-simply-and-directly-i-am-deeply-sorry/) [Tiger Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiger-woods/) > [God desires to change us from the inside out. 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