--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In relation to a writer, most readers…" description: "\"In relation to a writer, most readers believe in the Double Standard: they may be unfaithful to him as often as they like, but he must never, never be ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fe/w-h-auden-856_believe_in-relation-to-a-writer-most-readers-bel_2873005.png" --- # In relation to a writer, most readers believe in the… ![“In relation to a writer, most readers believe in the Double Standard: they may be unfaithful to him as often as they like, but he must never, never be unfaithful to them.” quote by W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fe/w-h-auden-856_believe_in-relation-to-a-writer-most-readers-bel_2873005.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fe/w-h-auden-856_believe_in-relation-to-a-writer-most-readers-bel_2873005.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fe/w-h-auden-856_believe_in-relation-to-a-writer-most-readers-bel_2873005.png) > “In relation to a writer, most readers believe in the Double Standard: they may be unfaithful to him as often as they like, but he must never, never be unfaithful to them.” [W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Readers often feel free to interpret a writer’s work, yet they expect the author to remain faithful to their expectations. **In simple terms:** Readers want freedom but demand loyalty. Key Takeaway Balance reader freedom with author integrity. Themes expectations interpretation trust Mood analytical contemplative Type critical literary When to use this quote - book clubs - creative writing workshops - publishing Key Concepts literary theory author‑reader contract Questions to Reflect On - How do you negotiate reader expectations? - Can a writer ever fully satisfy all readers? A Different Perspective Authors may feel constrained. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Double standard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/double-standard/) [Unfaithful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unfaithful/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [America is like an unfaithful love who promises us more than we got.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bunch/america-is-like-an-unfaithful-love-who-promises-us-more-than-we-got/) [Charlotte Bunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bunch/) > [I've never been unfaithful outside 'Made In Chelsea.' I don't care what the reputation looks like. I was unfaithful on that television show because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-matthews/i-ve-never-been-unfaithful-outside-made-in-chelsea-i-don-t-care-what/) [Spencer Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-matthews/) > [And like an unfaithful mate, once a car has let you down you never sort of trust it again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/and-like-an-unfaithful-mate-once-a-car-has-let-you-down-you-never/) [Nikki Giovanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/) > [There's a double standard between writers and readers. Readers can be unfaithful to writers anytime they like, but writers must never ever be unfaithful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-schjeldahl/there-s-a-double-standard-between-writers-and-readers-readers-can-be/) [Peter Schjeldahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-schjeldahl/) > [I have a total responsibility to the reader. The reader has to trust me and never feel betrayed. 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At least, part of my brain did.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-achord/my-thoughts-were-mostly-about-simone-and-somehow-i-felt-like-i-had/) [David Achord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-achord/) > [“If you read a book set in Kars and put me in it, I'd like to tell your readers not to believe anything you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orhan-pamuk/if-you-read-a-book-set-in-kars-and-put-me-in-it-i-d-like-to-tell-your/) [Orhan Pamuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orhan-pamuk/) > [“I don't believe there are readers and non-readers; I believe there are those who've found the right books and those who haven't--yet!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-c-payne/i-don-t-believe-there-are-readers-and-non-readers-i-believe-there-are/) [C.C. 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Double standard?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-think-people-are-more-likely-to-comment-on-a-thin-person-s-weight/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by W. H. Auden > [Pleasure is by no means an infallible critical guide, but it is the least fallible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden/pleasure-is-by-no-means-an-infallible-critical-guide-but-it-is-the/) [W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden/) > [Why doesn't the United States take over the monarchy and unite with England? England does have important assets. Naturally the longer you wait, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden/why-doesn-t-the-united-states-take-over-the-monarchy-and-unite-with/) [W. H. 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