Quote by W. H. Auden
Literary confessors are contemptible, like beggars who exhibit their sores for money, but not so contemptible as the public that buys their books.
Summary
This quote criticizes both authors who use their works as a means of confession, as well as the audience that indulges in their narratives. It compares literary confessors to beggars who exploit their wounds for financial gain, implying that their confessions are vulgar and degrading. Additionally, it states that the public who purchases these confessional books is even more contemptible, suggesting that their fascination with the personal struggles and vulnerabilities of others is morally questionable. Overall, the quote condemns both the authors and the consumers of confessional literature.
Topics
Honesty
By W. H. Auden
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