Quote by Edna St. Vincent Millay
A person who publishes a book appears willfully in public with his pants down.
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Summary
This quote implies that when a person publishes a book, they expose themselves and their ideas to public scrutiny. Just as having one's pants down is considered a vulnerable and exposed position, publishing a book leaves an author open to criticism, judgment, and ridicule. It suggests that writing and sharing a book is an act of bravery, as it requires one to be willing to face the potential consequences, both positive and negative, that come with public visibility and scrutiny.