Nothing a man writes can please him as profoundly as something he does with his back, shoulders and hands. For writing is an artificial activity. It is a lonely and private substitute for conversation.

Summary

This quote suggests that there is a unique satisfaction derived from manual labor or physical activities, compared to the act of writing. The author implies that writing is an artificial and isolating activity, serving as a solitary substitute for interpersonal communication. While writing may bring its own sense of accomplishment, it can never match the profound fulfillment experienced through engaging in physical work, which involves using one's body and actively participating in the tangible world.

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