Art Quote by Robert Graves
“Faults in English prose derive not so much from lack of knowledge, intelligence or art as from lack of thought, patience or goodwill.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Art of Fiction by Robert Graves, 1957
Writing quality suffers more from inattentiveness and lack of care than from insufficient knowledge or skill.
In simple terms: Bad prose comes from not thinking or caring enough.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate patience and thoughtful revision.
Themes
writing
attention
patience
care
quality
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
advice
instructional
When to use this quote
- editing drafts
- teaching writing
- self‑editing
- peer review
Key Concepts
cognitive focus
discipline
mindfulness
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you build habits that enforce careful thought?
- What practices improve patience in writing?
A Different Perspective
Even with knowledge, careless habits can still produce poor prose.
