--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Most difficult thing in the world, to…" description: "\"Most difficult thing in the world, to write a play. Do you know the story of Shaw at the Fabian society? H.G. Welles said \"I'm terribly sorry I've miss..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5e/peter-o-toole-3173_actor_most-difficult-thing-in-the-world-to-wri_3158174.jpg" --- # Most difficult thing in the world, to write a play. Do you… ![“Most difficult thing in the world, to write a play. Do you know the story of Shaw at the Fabian society? H.G. Welles said "I'm terribly sorry I've missed the last five meetings, I've been terribly busy, I'm engaged in writing a scientific pamphlet on the effects of radioactivity in 1984 and I've…” quote by Peter O'Toole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5e/peter-o-toole-3173_actor_most-difficult-thing-in-the-world-to-wri_3158174.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5e/peter-o-toole-3173_actor_most-difficult-thing-in-the-world-to-wri_3158174.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5e/peter-o-toole-3173_actor_most-difficult-thing-in-the-world-to-wri_3158174.jpg) > “Most difficult thing in the world, to write a play. Do you know the story of Shaw at the Fabian society? H.G. Welles said "I'm terribly sorry I've missed the last five meetings, I've been terribly busy, I'm engaged in writing a scientific pamphlet on the effects of radioactivity in 1984 and I've produced a novel, and various pieces of science fiction to do, and I've had a bit of personal trouble, and I had my copy to bring out for the newspaper." Shaw leapt up and said, "I've not missed one meeting, and I have written a play!" hardest thing in the world. If it were easy they'd all be at it.” [Peter O'Toole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-o-toole/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A humorous anecdote about H.G. Wells claiming he missed meetings due to scientific work, yet claiming he never missed a meeting and had written a play, highlighting the absurdity of excuses. **In simple terms:** A funny story about exaggerated excuses and dedication. Key Takeaway Question the validity of excuses. Themes humor dedication absurdity Mood lighthearted ironic Type entertainment historical When to use this quote - writing - project management - team meetings Key Concepts creative work historical anecdotes Questions to Reflect On - When have you used an excuse that seemed too elaborate? - How can you balance humor with honesty? A Different Perspective Exaggerated claims can undermine credibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Busy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/busy/) [Difficult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult/) [Difficult thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult-thing/) [Easy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easy/) [Hardest thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hardest-thing/) [Meeting Written](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meeting-written-5697529/) [Meetings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meetings/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Science fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-fiction/) [Sorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorry/) [Trouble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trouble/) [Various](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/various/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [World Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-write-393269/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Written Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/written-play-1978338/) ## Related quotes > [Love is the hardest thing in the world to write about. 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Welles said \"I'm terribly sorry I've missed the last five meetings, I've been terribly busy, I'm engaged in writing a scientific pamphlet on the effects of radioactivity in 1984 and I've produced a novel, and various pieces of science fiction to do, and I've had a bit of personal trouble, and I had my copy to bring out for the newspaper.\" Shaw leapt up and said, \"I've not missed one meeting, and I have written a play!\" hardest thing in the world. 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