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Bernard Malamud

Bernard Malamud Quotes

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Famous Bernard Malamud Quotes

“I am somewhat of a meliorist. That is to say, I act as an optimist because I find I cannot act at all, as a pessimist. One often feels helpless in the face of the confusion of these times, such a mass of apparently uncontrollable events and experiences to live through, attempt to understand, and if at all possible, give order to; but one must not withdraw from the task if he has some small things to offer - he does so at the risk of diminishing his humanity.”

IfsGivingFeelsDoeFacesHumanityOrderRiskEventsOffersMassTasksConfusionHelplessOptimistSmall ThingsPessimistUncontrollable
Author:Bernard Malamud
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“To any writer: Teach yourself to work in uncertainty. Many writers are anxious when they begin, or try something new. Even Matisse painted some of his Fauvist pictures in anxiety. Maybe that helped him to simplify. Character, discipline, negative capability count. Write, complete, revise. If it doesn't work, begin something else.”

IfsWritingTryingCharacterTeachDisciplineAnxietyNegativeUncertaintySomething NewAnxiousCapabilitySimplifyMatisse
Book:Conversations with Bernard Malamud
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