All of us have failed to match our dream of perfection. I rate us on the basis of our splendid failure to do the impossible. If I could write all my work again, I'm convinced I could do it better. This is the healthiest condition for an artist. That's why he keeps working, trying again: he believes each time that this time he will do it, bring it off. Of course he won't.

William Faulkner

William Faulkner

Related Quotes

Dreams have only one owner at a time. That's why dreamers are lonely.

— William Faulkner

It's a shame that the only thing a man can do for eight hours a day is work. He can't eat for eight hours; he can't drink for eight hours; he can't make love for eight hours. The only thing a man can do for eight hours is work.

— William Faulkner

I'm a failed poet. Maybe every novelist wants to write poetry first, finds he can't and then tries the short story which is the most demanding form after poetry. And failing at that, only then does he take up novel writing.

— William Faulkner

Unless you're ashamed of yourself now and then, you're not honest

— William Faulkner

ashamedhonestyyourself

In Europe, being an artist is a form of behavior; in America, it's an excuse for a form of behavior.

— William Faulkner