“If we had to say what writing is, we would have to define it essentially as an act of courage.”
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Cynthia Ozick4
American writer 1928Related quotes
“All would have transformed us if we had the courage to be what we are.”
Marguerite Yourcenar (1903–1987) French writer
Tous nous serions transformés si nous avions le courage d'être ce que nous sommes.
Alexis (1929)
Chris Hedges (1956) American journalist
27:43 <br class="br">“ Our Only Hope Will Come Through Rebellion http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOlg_2qAbUA” (2014)
“What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?”
Vincent Van Gogh (1853–1890) Dutch post-Impressionist painter (1853-1890)
François Fénelon (1651–1715) Catholic bishop
Nous verrons à sa lumière, dans l'éternité, que ce que nous désirions nous eût été funeste, et que ce que nous voulions éviter était essentiel à notre bonheur.
Instructions et avis sur divers points de la morale et de la perfection chrétienne, ch. 18, cited from Œuvres de Fénelon (Paris: Firmin Didot, 1845) vol. 1, p. 325; translation from Selections from the Writings of Fénelon (Boston: Samuel G. Simpkins, 1844) p. 82.
Al Gore (1948) 45th Vice President of the United States
Speech at the Democratic National Convention (28 August 1996) http://www.pbs.org/newshour/convention96/floor_speeches/gore_8-28.html. <br class="br">Context: We Americans write our own history. And the chapters of which we're proudest are the ones where we had the courage to change. Time and again, Americans have seen the need for change, and have taken the initiative to bring that change to life.
Vincent Van Gogh (1853–1890) Dutch post-Impressionist painter (1853-1890)
Letter to Theo van Gogh. The Hague, Thursday, 29 December 1881. p. 83; as cited in Dear Theo: the Autobiography of Vincent Van Gogh (1995), edited by Irving Stone and Jean Stone -
1880s, 1881
Context: I feel a certain calm. There is safety in the midst of danger. What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? It will be a hard pull for me; the tide rises high, almost to the lips and perhaps higher still, how can I know? But I shall fight my battle, and sell my life dearly, and try to win and get the best of it.
Michael Moorcock (1939) English writer, editor, critic
Book 2, Chapter 4 (p. 564)
The Dragon in the Sword (1986)
