At one time I thought the most important thing was talent. I think now that – the young man or the young woman must possess or teach himself, train himself, in infinite patience, which is to try and to try and to try until it comes right. He must train himself in ruthless intolerance. That is, to throw away anything that is false no matter how much he might love that page or that paragraph. The most important thing is insight, that is. . curiosity to wonder, to mull, and to muse why it is that man does what he does. And if you have that, then I don't think the talent makes much difference, whether you've got that or not.]. William Faulkner
About This Quote

When we think about having the right talent, we often forget that the most important characteristic of a person is his or her own insight. The best way to become a great writer or musician is to read as much as you can and to write and play what you’re reading. Once you have those insights, it doesn’t matter whether or not you’re talented.

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More Quotes By William Faulkner
  1. The saddest thing about love, Joe, is that not only the love cannot last forever, but even the heartbreak is soon forgotten.
  2. She was bored. She loved, had capacity to love, for love, to give and accept love. Only she tried twice and failed twice to find somebody not just strong enough to deserve it, earn it, match it, but even brave enough to accept it.
  3. You don’t love because: you love despite; not for the virtues, but despite the faults.
  4. I could just remember how my father used to say that the reason for living was to get ready to stay dead a long time.
  5. Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.
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