Cheat your landlord if you can and must, but do not try to shortchange the Muse. It cannot be done. You can't fake quality any more than you can fake a good meal.

William S. Burroughs
About This Quote

Cheat your landlord if you can and must, but do not try to shortchange the Muse. It cannot be done. You can't fake quality any more than you can fake a good meal. This quote by Robert Frost is a warning against trying to fake quality or talent.

The writer of this poem is saying that you can’t make something less than it truly is. He also says that you can’t fake talent or skill. You can’t just say that you are talented or skilled and expect it to be true.

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