Quote by Ernest Hemingway
This too to remember. If a man writes clearly enough any one can see if he fakes. If he mystifies to avoid a straight statement, which is very different from breaking so-called rules of syntax or grammar to make an efffect which can be obtained in no other way, the writer takes a longer time to be known as a fake and other writers who are afflicted by the same necessity will praise him in their own defense. True mysticism should not be confused with incompetence in writing which seeks to mystify where there is no mystery but is really only the necessity to fake to cover lack of knowledge or the inability to state clearly. Mysticism implies a mystery and there are many mysteries; but incompetence is not one of them; nor is overwritten journalism made literature by the injection of a false epic qulaity. Remember this too: all bad writers are in love with the epic.
Summary
This quote emphasizes the importance of clarity and transparency in writing. The author argues that a genuine writer communicates clearly without resorting to mystification or unnecessarily complex language. They distinguish between true mysticism, which involves exploring mysteries, and incompetence in writing, which attempts to appear mysterious when there is none. The quote also criticizes bad writers who inject an artificial sense of grandeur into their work but lack authentic substance. Ultimately, it warns against the tendency for writers to fall in love with a grandiose, epic style rather than focusing on conveying their message effectively.
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