The hardest thing to do is to write straight honest prose on human beings. First you have to know the subject; then you have to know how to write. Both take a lifetime to learn, and anybody is cheating who takes politics as a way out. All the outs are too easy, and the thing itself is too hard to do.

Summary

This quote highlights the immense challenge in effectively portraying human beings through writing. It emphasizes the importance of possessing in-depth knowledge about the subject being written about as well as honing one's writing skills, both of which require a lifetime of learning. The quote criticizes the tendency to resort to politics as an "easy way out" when attempting to encapsulate the complexities of humanity. It stresses that writing about humanity directly is a difficult task that demands honesty, authenticity, and a sincere dedication to achieving it.

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