Quote by John Updike
It rots a writer's brain, it cretinises you. You say the same thing again and again, and when you do that happily you're well on the way to being a cretin. Or a politician.
Summary
This quote suggests that repeatedly writing or saying the same thing without critical thinking or creativity can have negative effects on a writer's intellect. It implies that this sort of repetitive behavior can lead to a deterioration of one's mental abilities, comparing it to the characteristics of cretinism—a condition marked by intellectual disabilities. The quote also draws a parallel between mindlessly repeating oneself and the behavior of politicians, possibly implying that certain political figures may engage in repetitive rhetoric without thoughtful consideration.
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By John Updike