--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only reward to be expected from…" description: "\"The only reward to be expected from literature is contempt if one fails and hatred if one succeeds.\" — Voltaire" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e22/voltaire-173_books_the-only-reward-to-be-expected-from-lite_2794875.png" --- # The only reward to be expected from literature is contempt… ![“The only reward to be expected from literature is contempt if one fails and hatred if one succeeds.” quote by Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e22/voltaire-173_books_the-only-reward-to-be-expected-from-lite_2794875.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e22/voltaire-173_books_the-only-reward-to-be-expected-from-lite_2794875.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e22/voltaire-173_books_the-only-reward-to-be-expected-from-lite_2794875.png) > “The only reward to be expected from literature is contempt if one fails and hatred if one succeeds.” [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Suggests literature yields contempt when failing and hatred when succeeding. **In simple terms:** Literature brings harsh judgment. Key Takeaway Seek intrinsic value beyond external judgments. Themes literature society judgment Mood cynical reflective Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - publishing - creative writing - public criticism - personal writing Key Concepts critical reception success failure Questions to Reflect On - Do you agree with this view? - How can creators stay resilient? A Different Perspective May generalize; not all literature follows this pattern. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Contempt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contempt/) [Hatred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hatred/) [Literature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literature/) [Rewards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rewards/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“The only reward to be expected from the cultivation of literature is contempt if one fails and and hatred if one succeeds.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/the-only-reward-to-be-expected-from-the-cultivation-of-literature-is/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > ["Can any good come out of Nazareth?" This is always the question of the wiseacres and the knowing ones. 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