Firsts Quote by William James
“If there is aught of good in the style, it is the result of ceaseless toil in rewriting. Everything comes out wrong with me at first; but when once objectified I can torture and poke and scrape and pat it till it offends me no more.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Principles of Psychology, William James, 1890
The quote emphasizes that persistent effort and critical revision are essential to improve one's work, turning initial failures into refined results.
In simple terms: Hard work and constant editing turn bad drafts into good work.
Key Takeaway
Keep revising until it feels right.
Themes
perseverance
creativity
self‑critique
Mood
determined
reflective
Type
process
motivational
When to use this quote
- drafting essays
- coding projects
- artistic creation
- academic research
- product design
Key Concepts
psychology
writing process
skill development
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you know when to stop revising?
- What strategies help you stay objective about your work?
A Different Perspective
Even with effort, some flaws may persist due to inherent limits of skill or time.
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