Quote by Bertrand Russell
To all the talented young men who wander about feeling that there is nothing in the world for them to do, I should say: 'Give up trying to write, and, instead, try not to write. Go out into the world; become a pirate, a king in Borneo, a labourer in Soviet Russia; give yourself an existence in which the satisfaction of elementary physical needs will occupy almost all your energies.' I do not recommend this course of action to everyone, but only to those who suffer from the disease which Mr Krutch diagnoses. I believe that, after some years of such an existence, the ex-intellectual will fin that in spite of is efforts he can no longer refrain from writing, and when this time comes his writing will not seem to him futile.
Summary
In this quote, British author George Orwell suggests that for young men struggling to find purpose, they should abandon their aspirations to write and instead immerse themselves in real-life experiences. Orwell advises exploring unconventional paths such as becoming a pirate, a king in Borneo, or a laborer in Soviet Russia. By focusing on satisfying basic physical needs, Orwell believes that the urge to write will eventually resurface, but with a newfound sense of purpose and significance. This advice is not universally applicable, but specifically intended for those suffering from a perceived lack of meaning in writing, as diagnosed by Mr. Krutch.
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