About Quote by Paul Harding
“Write as precisely and as lucidly and as richly as you can about what you find truly mysterious and irreducible about human experience, and not obscurely about what will prove to be received opinion or cliche once the reader figures out your stylistic conceit. There's all the difference in the world between mystery and mystification.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2017
Distinguish genuine mystery from pretentious mystification in writing about human experience.
In simple terms: Seek true mystery, avoid clichés.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize authenticity over style.
Themes
authenticity
depth
clarity
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- essay writing
- fiction
- critical analysis
Key Concepts
mystery vs mystification
human experience
Questions to Reflect On
- What mysteries in life resist easy explanation?
- How can you convey depth without obscurity?
A Different Perspective
Risk of alienating readers with too much abstraction.
