Great literature must spring from an upheaval in the author’s…
Great literature must spring from an upheaval in the author’s soul. If that upheaval is not present then it must come from the works of any other author which happens to be handy and easily adapted.
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As quoted in The Routledge Dictionary of Quotations : A Dictionary of Quotations (1987) by Robert Andrews, p. 154
Other Robert Benchley Quotes
- Anyone will be glad to admit that he knows nothing about beagling, or the Chinese stock market, or ballistics, but there is not a man or woman alive who does not claim to know how to cure hiccoughs. - View Quote Details on Anyone will be glad to admit that he knows nothing…
- Anyone can do any amount of work provided it isn’t the work he is supposed to be doing at the moment. - View Quote Details on Anyone can do any amount of work provided it isn’t…
- The English language may hold a more disagreeable combination of words than “The doctor will see you now.” I am willing to concede something to the phrase “Have you anything to say before the current is turned on?” That may be worse for the moment, but it doesn’t last so long. For continued, unmitigating depression, I know nothing to equal “The doctor will see you now.” But I’m not narrow-minded about it. I’m willing to consider other possibilities. - View Quote Details on The English language may hold a more disagreeable combination of…
- Why don’t you get out of that wet coat and into a dry martini? - View Quote Details on Why don’t you get out of that wet coat and…
- It took me fifteen years to discover that I had no talent for writing, but I couldn’t give it up because by that time I was too famous. - View Quote Details on It took me fifteen years to discover that I had…
- I do most of my work sitting down; that’s where I shine. - View Quote Details on I do most of my work sitting down; that’s where…
- At fifteen one is first beginning to realize that everything isn’t money and power in this world, and is casting about for joys that do not turn to dross in one’s hands. - View Quote Details on At fifteen one is first beginning to realize that everything…
- There is no such place as Budapest. Perhaps you are thinking of Bucharest, and there is no such place as Bucharest, either. - View Quote Details on There is no such place as Budapest. Perhaps you are…
- Streets flooded. Please advise. (telegram to his editor upon arrival in Venice ) - View Quote Details on Streets flooded. Please advise. (telegram to his editor upon arrival…
- There are two classes of travel — first class, and with children. - View Quote Details on There are two classes of travel — first class, and…













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