---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've only written one science-fiction…"
description: "\"I've only written one science-fiction book: 'Fahrenheit 451.' That book is a book based on real facts and my hatred of people who destroy books.\" — Ray..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0e/ray-bradbury-75_based_i-ve-only-written-one-science-fiction-bo_2059899.jpg"
---

#  I've only written one science-fiction book: 'Fahrenheit…

![“I've only written one science-fiction book: 'Fahrenheit 451.' That book is a book based on real facts and my hatred of people who destroy books.” quote by Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0e/ray-bradbury-75_based_i-ve-only-written-one-science-fiction-bo_2059899.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0e/ray-bradbury-75_based_i-ve-only-written-one-science-fiction-bo_2059899.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0e/ray-bradbury-75_based_i-ve-only-written-one-science-fiction-bo_2059899.jpg)

> “I've only written one science-fiction book: 'Fahrenheit 451.' That book is a book based on real facts and my hatred of people who destroy books.”

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

## About This Quote

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

The author condemns censorship and the destruction of knowledge, expressing personal anger toward those who burn books.

**In simple terms:** Censorship is evil; protect books.

Key Takeaway

Defend free expression and preserve literature.

Themes

censorship knowledge rebellion

Mood

defiant passionate

Type

literary political

When to use this quote

- libraries
- education policy
- activism
- publishing
- school curricula

Key Concepts

freedom of speech authorial intent

Questions to Reflect On

- What drives your own stance on protecting books?
- How can societies balance safety and free access to ideas?

A Different Perspective

The quote may oversimplify complex cultural conflicts over literature.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[451 Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/451-book-3925087/) [Based](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/based/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Destroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroy/) [Destroy Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroy-books-2264916/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Facts Hatred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts-hatred-3925086/) [Fahrenheit 451](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fahrenheit-451-306833/) [Fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiction/) [Hatred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hatred/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Science fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-fiction/) [Who](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/who/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Written](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/written/)

## Related quotes

> [ “\[ Fahrenheit 451 \] is a book of warning. It is a reminder that what we have is valuable, and that sometimes we take… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/fahrenheit-451-is-a-book-of-warning-it-is-a-reminder-that-what-we/)

[Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/)

> [“He felt she was walking in a circle about him, turning him end for end, shaking him quietly, and emptying his pockets, without once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/he-felt-she-was-walking-in-a-circle-about-him-turning-him-end-for-end/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [You'd type like hell. I spent $9.80 and in nine days I had Fahrenheit 451.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/you-d-type-like-hell-i-spent-9-80-and-in-nine-days-i-had-fahrenheit/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [The only science fiction I have written is Fahrenheit 451. It's the art of the possible. Science fiction is the art of the possible.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/the-only-science-fiction-i-have-written-is-fahrenheit-451-it-s-the/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [“After all, when we had all the books we needed, we still insisted on finding the highest cliff to jump off. But we do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/after-all-when-we-had-all-the-books-we-needed-we-still-insisted-on/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> ['Fahrenheit 451' postulates a lot of things I didn't want to have happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/fahrenheit-451-postulates-a-lot-of-things-i-didn-t-want-to-have-happen/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [“I had no way to stop . I did not write Fahrenheit 451, it wrote me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/i-had-no-way-to-stop-i-did-not-write-fahrenheit-451-it-wrote-me/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [“The things you are looking for, Montag, are in the world but the only way the average chap will ever see ninety-nine per cent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/the-things-you-are-looking-for-montag-are-in-the-world-but-the-only/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [I'm not a science-fiction writer. I've only written one book that's science fiction, and that's Fahrenheit 451. All the others are fantasy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/i-m-not-a-science-fiction-writer-i-ve-only-written-one-book-that-s/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [“In writing the short novel Fahrenheit 451 I thought I was describing a world that might evolve in four or five decades. But only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/in-writing-the-short-novel-fahrenheit-451-i-thought-i-was-describing/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [The first step in liquidating a people is to erase its memory. Destroy its books, its culture, its history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-first-step-in-liquidating-a-people-is-to-erase-its-memory-destroy/)

[Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/)

> [I guess I was raised in a household with a lot of reverence for the physical sanctity of books. You didn't destroy books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lev-grossman/i-guess-i-was-raised-in-a-household-with-a-lot-of-reverence-for-the/)

[Lev Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lev-grossman/)

> [“Quite amazing how determined kings and emperors have been to destroy books. But civilization is built on such desecrations, is it not? Justinian the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-king/quite-amazing-how-determined-kings-and-emperors-have-been-to-destroy/)

[Ross King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-king/)

> [Fahrenheit 451 is one of those books that is about how amazing books are and how amazing the people who write books are. Writers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-lieb/fahrenheit-451-is-one-of-those-books-that-is-about-how-amazing-books/)

[Josh Lieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-lieb/)

> [In Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury raised cautions against mass media, especially the television, which dumb down human sensibilities and coerce everybody's thoughts into a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasumasa-morimura/in-fahrenheit-451-ray-bradbury-raised-cautions-against-mass-media/)

[Yasumasa Morimura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasumasa-morimura/)

## More by Ray Bradbury

> [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [You feed yourself. Make sure you have all the information, whether it's aesthetic, scientific, mathematical, I don't care what it is. Then you walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/you-feed-yourself-make-sure-you-have-all-the-information-whether-it-s/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [Do you ever read any of the books you burn?" He laughed. "That's against the law!" "Oh. Of course.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/do-you-ever-read-any-of-the-books-you-burn-he-laughed-that-s-against/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [There's no reason to burn books if you don't read them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/there-s-no-reason-to-burn-books-if-you-don-t-read-them/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [We were put here as witnesses to the miracle of life. We see the stars, and we want them. We are beholden to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/we-were-put-here-as-witnesses-to-the-miracle-of-life-we-see-the-stars/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [Remember, with writing, what you’re looking for is just one person to come up and tell you, 'I love you for what you do.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/remember-with-writing-what-you-re-looking-for-is-just-one-person-to/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [As a result of reading science fiction when I was eight, I grew up with an interest in music, architecture, city planning, transportation, politics,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/as-a-result-of-reading-science-fiction-when-i-was-eight-i-grew-up/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [“You can’t learn to write in college. It’s a very bad place for writers because the teachers always think they know more than you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/you-can-t-learn-to-write-in-college-it-s-a-very-bad-place-for-writers/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [We're going to become the martians when we land there. When we explore and build communities, we become the martians. That's a wonderful destiny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/we-re-going-to-become-the-martians-when-we-land-there-when-we-explore/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [I wish you a wrestling match with your Creative Muse that will last a lifetime. ... I wish craziness and foolishness and madness upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/i-wish-you-a-wrestling-match-with-your-creative-muse-that-will-last-a/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [The library is the biggest cracker box factory in the world. The more you eat, the more you want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/the-library-is-the-biggest-cracker-box-factory-in-the-world-the-more/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [We travel for romance, we travel for architecture, and we travel to be lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/we-travel-for-romance-we-travel-for-architecture-and-we-travel-to-be/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [I spent three days a week for 10 years educating myself in the public library, and it's better than college. People should educate themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/i-spent-three-days-a-week-for-10-years-educating-myself-in-the-public/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [If we try to deny the darkness in our souls then we'll become completely dark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/if-we-try-to-deny-the-darkness-in-our-souls-then-we-ll-become/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [But remember that the Captain belongs to the most dangerous enemy to truth and freedom, the solid unmoving cattle of the majority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/but-remember-that-the-captain-belongs-to-the-most-dangerous-enemy-to/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

[Explore all 1,520 Ray Bradbury quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

## More Based quotes

> [Like in nature, I like things which are based on a few simple principles, even though their manifestation can be very rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fabiola-gianotti/like-in-nature-i-like-things-which-are-based-on-a-few-simple/)

[Fabiola Gianotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fabiola-gianotti/)

> [The shelves of many evangelicals are full of books that point out the flaws in evolution, discuss it only as a theory, and almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/the-shelves-of-many-evangelicals-are-full-of-books-that-point-out-the/)

[Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/)

> [Because there is actually something very interesting in Goodfellas, how the style of the film changes as time goes by and based on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cox/because-there-is-actually-something-very-interesting-in-goodfellas/)

[Alex Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cox/)

> [An art which isn't based on feeling isn't an art at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-cezanne/an-art-which-isn-t-based-on-feeling-isn-t-an-art-at-all/)

[Paul Cezanne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-cezanne/)

> [I'd always wanted the show to be more reality based science fiction, something along the lines of The Day the Earth Stood Still, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gil-gerard/i-d-always-wanted-the-show-to-be-more-reality-based-science-fiction/)

[Gil Gerard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gil-gerard/)

> [I'm a fact-based leader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/london-breed/i-m-a-fact-based-leader/)

[London Breed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/london-breed/)

> [At Inter, I earned my wages based on the results on the field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-mancini/at-inter-i-earned-my-wages-based-on-the-results-on-the-field/)

[Roberto Mancini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-mancini/)

> [I used to be a columnist for 'Golf Monthly' and have contributed articles for national newspapers based on the humour that is in abundance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasper-carrott/i-used-to-be-a-columnist-for-golf-monthly-and-have-contributed/)

[Jasper Carrott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasper-carrott/)

> [I've always made my decisions based on two factors: intellectual analysis and my gut. And when they meet, that's a go from me. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ovitz/i-ve-always-made-my-decisions-based-on-two-factors-intellectual/)

[Michael Ovitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ovitz/)

> [Pro-lifers have long been castigated for bringing private values into the public square. But actually it is the pro-abortion position that is based on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pearcey/pro-lifers-have-long-been-castigated-for-bringing-private-values-into/)

[Nancy Pearcey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pearcey/)

> [Christianity is based on a book. It centers in a Person. It expresses itself in a message. It authenticates itself in an experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-sidlow-baxter/christianity-is-based-on-a-book-it-centers-in-a-person-it-expresses/)

[J. Sidlow Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-sidlow-baxter/)

> [“Teach me about some taxes. Why didn't nobody teach me about taxes on TV? Why don't nobody teach us about none of that man?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-mccartney/teach-me-about-some-taxes-why-didn-t-nobody-teach-me-about-taxes-on/)

[Brandon McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-mccartney/)

> [Conservatism is about the basic rights of individuals. God created us. As far as the government goes, the Founding Fathers based the Constitution off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wurzelbacher/conservatism-is-about-the-basic-rights-of-individuals-god-created-us/)

[Joe Wurzelbacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wurzelbacher/)

> [Style is based on limitations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hartford/style-is-based-on-limitations/)

[John Hartford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hartford/)

> [Pacifism as a mass movement aims to avoid suffering; pacifists often say that no cause is worth suffering or dying for. The ethos of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-michnik/pacifism-as-a-mass-movement-aims-to-avoid-suffering-pacifists-often/)

[Adam Michnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-michnik/)

[Browse all 830 Based quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/based/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I've only written one science-fiction book: 'Fahrenheit 451.' That book is a book based on real facts and my hatred of people who destroy books.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Ray Bradbury"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/i-ve-only-written-one-science-fiction-book-fahrenheit-451-that-book/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Based"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/i-ve-only-written-one-science-fiction-book-fahrenheit-451-that-book/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0e/ray-bradbury-75_based_i-ve-only-written-one-science-fiction-bo_2059899.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0e/ray-bradbury-75_based_i-ve-only-written-one-science-fiction-bo_2059899.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0e/ray-bradbury-75_based_i-ve-only-written-one-science-fiction-bo_2059899.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I've only written one science-fiction book: 'Fahrenheit 451.' That book is a book based on real facts and my…” — Ray Bradbury",
                "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": "Ray Bradbury",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I've only written one science-fiction book:...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/i-ve-only-written-one-science-fiction-book-fahrenheit-451-that-book/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/i-ve-only-written-one-science-fiction-book-fahrenheit-451-that-book/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
