---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Genuine bravery for a writer... It is…"
description: "\"Genuine bravery for a writer... It is about calmly speaking the truth when everyone else is silenced, when the truth cannot be expressed. It is about s..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a50/murong-xuecun-45808_bravery_genuine-bravery-for-a-writer-it-is-about_745249.png"
---

#  Genuine bravery for a writer... It is about calmly…

![“Genuine bravery for a writer... It is about calmly speaking the truth when everyone else is silenced, when the truth cannot be expressed. It is about speaking out with a different voice, risking the wrath of the state and offending everyone, for the sake of the truth, and the writer's conscience.” quote by Murong Xuecun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a50/murong-xuecun-45808_bravery_genuine-bravery-for-a-writer-it-is-about_745249.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a50/murong-xuecun-45808_bravery_genuine-bravery-for-a-writer-it-is-about_745249.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a50/murong-xuecun-45808_bravery_genuine-bravery-for-a-writer-it-is-about_745249.png)

> “Genuine bravery for a writer... It is about calmly speaking the truth when everyone else is silenced, when the truth cannot be expressed. It is about speaking out with a different voice, risking the wrath of the state and offending everyone, for the sake of the truth, and the writer's conscience.”

[Murong Xuecun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murong-xuecun/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

True courage for a writer means voicing truth despite oppression and personal risk.

**In simple terms:** Speaking truth despite danger.

Key Takeaway

Stand up for truth.

Themes

courage truth freedom conscience

Mood

defiant serious

Type

inspirational political

When to use this quote

- journalism
- political activism
- whistleblowing
- literary criticism

Key Concepts

authoritarianism ethical duty voice

Questions to Reflect On

- What truth are you avoiding?
- How can you protect yourself while speaking out?

A Different Perspective

Risk of retaliation can silence voices and endanger lives.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Bravery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bravery/) [Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Speak the truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak-the-truth/) [Speaking out](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speaking-out/) [Speaking the truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speaking-the-truth/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voice/) [Wrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrath/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/)

## Related quotes

> [Genuine bravery occurs when you least expect it, and when, in fact, you're quite oblivious of it. Sometimes heroism happens when you press on;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-hausman/genuine-bravery-occurs-when-you-least-expect-it-and-when-in-fact-you/)

[Gerald Hausman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-hausman/)

> [“A writer is the conscience of the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/a-writer-is-the-conscience-of-the-world/)

[Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/)

> [Of the whole public not a handful can understand the artist's point of view or the writer's conscience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-perkins/of-the-whole-public-not-a-handful-can-understand-the-artist-s-point/)

[Maxwell Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-perkins/)

> [“To say nothing is saying something. You must denounce things you are against or one might believe that you support things you really do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/to-say-nothing-is-saying-something-you-must-denounce-things-you-are/)

[Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/)

> [“Would the truth be silenced, or would it try to break through Meaning if someone loves you and its meant to be but for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/would-the-truth-be-silenced-or-would-it-try-to-break-through-meaning/)

[Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/)

> [The passion for truth is silenced by answers which have the weight of undisputed authority.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/the-passion-for-truth-is-silenced-by-answers-which-have-the-weight-of/)

[Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/)

> [“Only the truth will never be silenced.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eros-ramazzotti/only-the-truth-will-never-be-silenced/)

Eros Ramazzotti

> [But what if...what if you sincerely believed something was true, but you were dead wrong? What if you were so stubbornly sure that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/but-what-if-what-if-you-sincerely-believed-something-was-true-but-you/)

[Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/)

> [I have been working with Women's Aid since 2003 when I became the charity's first Ambassador, and am so pleased to be able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-young/i-have-been-working-with-women-s-aid-since-2003-when-i-became-the/)

Will Young

> [Take the example of my daughter. A lot of people were speaking out about education when the Taliban were bombing schools in Swat Valley,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ziauddin-yousafzai/take-the-example-of-my-daughter-a-lot-of-people-were-speaking-out/)

[Ziauddin Yousafzai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ziauddin-yousafzai/)

> [Some of my peers are artists who are at the same level as I am and have been getting paid more than I have,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadine-shah/some-of-my-peers-are-artists-who-are-at-the-same-level-as-i-am-and/)

[Nadine Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadine-shah/)

> [You get so tired of political correctness. I'm noted for speaking out all my career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-arpaio/you-get-so-tired-of-political-correctness-i-m-noted-for-speaking-out/)

[Joe Arpaio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-arpaio/)

> [“I felt like I needed to comfort both the little girl inside me and my mother, assuring them that neither of them could have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-merryn/i-felt-like-i-needed-to-comfort-both-the-little-girl-inside-me-and-my/)

[Erin Merryn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-merryn/)

> [I don't mind expressing my opinions and speaking out against injustice. I would be doing this even if I wasn't a writer. I grew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tayari-jones/i-don-t-mind-expressing-my-opinions-and-speaking-out-against/)

[Tayari Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tayari-jones/)

> [To me, part of being an emcee is dedicated to speaking out about what's going on around us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lazarus-of-bethany/to-me-part-of-being-an-emcee-is-dedicated-to-speaking-out-about-what/)

[Lazarus of Bethany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lazarus-of-bethany/)

## More by Murong Xuecun

> [Why is contemporary China short of works that speak directly? Because we writers cannot speak directly, or rather we can only speak in an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murong-xuecun/why-is-contemporary-china-short-of-works-that-speak-directly-because/)

[Murong Xuecun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murong-xuecun/)

> [“Because at this time, in this place, Chinese writing exhibits symptoms of a mental disorder.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murong-xuecun/because-at-this-time-in-this-place-chinese-writing-exhibits-symptoms/)

[Murong Xuecun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murong-xuecun/)

> [Actually, I am a coward. I say only what is safe to say, and I criticise only what is permissable to criticise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murong-xuecun/actually-i-am-a-coward-i-say-only-what-is-safe-to-say-and-i-criticise/)

[Murong Xuecun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murong-xuecun/)

> [The only truth is that we cannot speak the truth . The only acceptable viewpoint is that we cannot express a viewpoint.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murong-xuecun/the-only-truth-is-that-we-cannot-speak-the-truth-the-only-acceptable/)

[Murong Xuecun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murong-xuecun/)

> [“Literature is not at the service of the government; on the contrary, governments should do everything in their power to create a favourable climate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murong-xuecun/literature-is-not-at-the-service-of-the-government-on-the-contrary/)

[Murong Xuecun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murong-xuecun/)

> [Now, after I have published a few books, I can clearly feel the impact of censorship when I write. For example, I'll think of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murong-xuecun/now-after-i-have-published-a-few-books-i-can-clearly-feel-the-impact/)

[Murong Xuecun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murong-xuecun/)

> [Unfortunately, I have dedicated great effort to the task of compiling this ‘sensitive words glossary,’ and I have mastered my filtering skills. I knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murong-xuecun/unfortunately-i-have-dedicated-great-effort-to-the-task-of-compiling/)

[Murong Xuecun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murong-xuecun/)

> [It is difficult to call myself a writer, even when I stand at a podium to receive a prize, I feel uncomfortable calling myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murong-xuecun/it-is-difficult-to-call-myself-a-writer-even-when-i-stand-at-a-podium/)

[Murong Xuecun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murong-xuecun/)

[Explore all 9 Murong Xuecun quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murong-xuecun/)

## More Bravery quotes

> [Not everyone is capable of madness; and of those lucky enough to be capable, not many have the courage for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/not-everyone-is-capable-of-madness-and-of-those-lucky-enough-to-be/)

[August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/)

> [“How could we explain that standing on a stage and speaking someone else's words as if they are your own is less an act…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-l-rio/how-could-we-explain-that-standing-on-a-stage-and-speaking-someone/)

[M.L. Rio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-l-rio/)

> [There are those that say, if you do the uncomfortable thing long enough, it will become comfortable. But we are really not encouragers of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-hicks/there-are-those-that-say-if-you-do-the-uncomfortable-thing-long/)

[Esther Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-hicks/)

> [Courage is the skill of being the only one who knows your scared to death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/courage-is-the-skill-of-being-the-only-one-who-knows-your-scared-to/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Fearing our confrontations is one thing... facing them unarmed is a completely different matter.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-w-boyer-2/fearing-our-confrontations-is-one-thing-facing-them-unarmed-is-a/)

[Mark W. Boyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-w-boyer-2/)

> [Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/bravery-is-the-capacity-to-perform-properly-even-when-scared-half-to/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [To be able to live and train in Iraq under these circumstances you need to be brave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-be-able-to-live-and-train-in-iraq-under-these-circumstances-you/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Every person has the power to change their fate if they are brave enough to fight for what they desire more than anything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-garber/every-person-has-the-power-to-change-their-fate-if-they-are-brave/)

[Stephanie Garber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-garber/)

> [The terrorists-those nineteen people, with hundreds or maybe thousands behind them-did the worst thing you can possibly imagine. But tens of millions people did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/the-terrorists-those-nineteen-people-with-hundreds-or-maybe-thousands/)

[David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/)

> [All the world's bravery that delights our eyes is but thy several liveries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/all-the-world-s-bravery-that-delights-our-eyes-is-but-thy-several/)

[Abraham Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-cowley/)

> [“We were taught to be good, and we were taught to be careful. But in this world, sometimes, I do not think we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marguerite-bennett/we-were-taught-to-be-good-and-we-were-taught-to-be-careful-but-in/)

Marguerite Bennett

> [Fortune helps the brave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/fortune-helps-the-brave/)

[Terence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence/)

> [“A ‘good’ father will tenderly cultivate his children. But a ‘good’ father who is also a ‘brave’ father will let the children without cultivate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/a-good-father-will-tenderly-cultivate-his-children-but-a-good-father/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

> [These are the men who, without virtue, labour, or hazard, are growing rich, as their country is impoverished; they rejoice, when obstinacy or ambition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/these-are-the-men-who-without-virtue-labour-or-hazard-are-growing/)

[Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/)

> [Now I have the bravery to do fine things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriela-sabatini/now-i-have-the-bravery-to-do-fine-things/)

[Gabriela Sabatini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriela-sabatini/)

[Browse all 1,663 Bravery quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bravery/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Genuine bravery for a writer... It is about calmly speaking the truth when everyone else is silenced, when the truth cannot be expressed. It is about speaking out with a different voice, risking the wrath of the state and offending everyone, for the sake of the truth, and the writer's conscience.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Murong Xuecun"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murong-xuecun/genuine-bravery-for-a-writer-it-is-about-calmly-speaking-the-truth/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Bravery"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murong-xuecun/genuine-bravery-for-a-writer-it-is-about-calmly-speaking-the-truth/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a50/murong-xuecun-45808_bravery_genuine-bravery-for-a-writer-it-is-about_745249.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a50/murong-xuecun-45808_bravery_genuine-bravery-for-a-writer-it-is-about_745249.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a50/murong-xuecun-45808_bravery_genuine-bravery-for-a-writer-it-is-about_745249.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Genuine bravery for a writer... It is about calmly speaking the truth when everyone else is silenced, when…” — Murong Xuecun",
                "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": "Murong Xuecun",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murong-xuecun/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Genuine bravery for a writer... It...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murong-xuecun/genuine-bravery-for-a-writer-it-is-about-calmly-speaking-the-truth/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murong-xuecun/genuine-bravery-for-a-writer-it-is-about-calmly-speaking-the-truth/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
