--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This is man: a writer of books, a…" description: "\"“This is man: a writer of books, a putter-down of words, a painter of pictures, a maker of ten thousand philosophies. He grows passionate over ideas, h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fdb/thomas-wolfe-4237_book_this-is-man-a-writer-of-books-a-putter-d_2416919.png" --- # This is man: a writer of books, a putter-down of words, a… ![“This is man: a writer of books, a putter-down of words, a painter of pictures, a maker of ten thousand philosophies. He grows passionate over ideas, he hurls scorn and mockery at another's work, he finds the one way, the true way, for himself, and calls all others false--yet in the billion books…” quote by Thomas Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fdb/thomas-wolfe-4237_book_this-is-man-a-writer-of-books-a-putter-d_2416919.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fdb/thomas-wolfe-4237_book_this-is-man-a-writer-of-books-a-putter-d_2416919.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fdb/thomas-wolfe-4237_book_this-is-man-a-writer-of-books-a-putter-d_2416919.png) > ““This is man: a writer of books, a putter-down of words, a painter of pictures, a maker of ten thousand philosophies. He grows passionate over ideas, he hurls scorn and mockery at another's work, he finds the one way, the true way, for himself, and calls all others false--yet in the billion books upon the shelves there is not one that can tell him how to draw a single fleeting breath in peace and comfort. He makes histories of the universe, he directs the destiny of the nations, but he does not know his own history, and he cannot direct his own destiny with dignity or wisdom for ten consecutive minutes.”” [Thomas Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-wolfe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote critiques the arrogance of intellectuals who claim mastery over ideas and history yet lack self‑knowledge and practical wisdom for everyday peace. **In simple terms:** Intellectual arrogance blinds personal insight. Key Takeaway Cultivate humility and self‑awareness. Themes humility self‑knowledge intellectual arrogance wisdom peace Mood reflective critical thoughtful Type philosophical analytical inspirational When to use this quote - academic writing - creative pursuits - leadership decisions - personal reflection - daily mindfulness Key Concepts ego self‑deception philosophy history personal growth Questions to Reflect On - How does your expertise affect your self‑understanding? - Can you balance intellectual ambition with personal humility? A Different Perspective The claim of universal understanding can be fragile when faced with personal limitations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Man Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-writer-971020/) [Peace And Comfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace-and-comfort/) [Philosophies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophies/) [Philosophies Grows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophies-grows-6103190/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Thousand Philosophies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thousand-philosophies-6103189/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [The man, the writer, the instrument of the creation will die, but his creation does not die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luigi-pirandello/the-man-the-writer-the-instrument-of-the-creation-will-die-but-his/) [Luigi Pirandello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luigi-pirandello/) > [A man is a writer if all his words are strung in definite sentence sounds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-moore/a-man-is-a-writer-if-all-his-words-are-strung-in-definite-sentence/) [Marianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-moore/) > [he asked, "what makes a man a writer?" "well," I said, "it's simple, it's either you get it down on paper or you jump…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/he-asked-what-makes-a-man-a-writer-well-i-said-it-s-simple-it-s/) [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) > [“Just as a fighter has to feel that he possesses the right to do physical damage to another man, so a writer has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-mailer/just-as-a-fighter-has-to-feel-that-he-possesses-the-right-to-do/) [Norman Mailer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-mailer/) > [One must never judge the writer by the man; but one may fairly judge the man by the writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-kronenberger/one-must-never-judge-the-writer-by-the-man-but-one-may-fairly-judge/) [Louis Kronenberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-kronenberger/) > [To choose a writer for a friend is like palling around with your cardiologist, who might be musing as you talk to him that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatole-broyard/to-choose-a-writer-for-a-friend-is-like-palling-around-with-your/) [Anatole Broyard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatole-broyard/) > [When a man becomes a writer, I think he takes on a sacred obligation to produce beauty and enlightenment and comfort at top speed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/when-a-man-becomes-a-writer-i-think-he-takes-on-a-sacred-obligation/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [“No, I don’t think my conscience would let me support a strike like that. 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