Every author, however modest, keeps a most outrageous vanity chained like a madman in the padded cell of his breast.

Summary

This quote suggests that every writer, regardless of their level of humility, possesses an excessive and somewhat irrational sense of self-importance. It likens this vanity to a crazed individual locked away in a padded cell within the writer's innermost being. Despite presenting themselves humbly, writers often harbor a hidden, intense desire for their work to be recognized and praised, highlighting the innate need for validation and acknowledgment within the creative process. Ultimately, this quote sheds light on the complex attitude writers have towards their own work and the delicate balance between self-confidence and self-doubt.

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