"I can write better than anybody who can write faster, and I can write faster than anybody who can write better"
About this Quote
A. J. Liebling’s aphorism plays with the idea of skill, speed, and self-assuredness in the art of writing. The statement is both clever and paradoxical, working at two levels: as a witty boast and as a subtle commentary on the competitive nature of creative work.
On the most immediate level, Liebling claims supremacy over two distinct groups of writers: those who write quickly but perhaps with less skill, and those who write well but take more time. By asserting that he writes better than the fastest writers and faster than the best writers, he humorously elevates himself above both. The implication is that mastery lies not just in proficiency or efficiency, but in a miraculous synthesis of both qualities. He positions himself as uniquely talented, simultaneously the swiftest and most skillful.
There’s an undertone of satire to his words. He mocks the common tendency, especially in journalism, to measure a writer’s worth by either their speed, a critical trait under deadlines, or their literary prowess, which often requires patience and careful crafting. By claiming superiority on both fronts, Liebling exposes the absurdity of such evaluations and gently pokes fun at the vanity and competition inherent among writers.
Moreover, his statement subtly addresses the impossibility of perfection. The intersection where the swiftest and the best overlap is vanishingly narrow, if it exists at all. Liebling’s breezy confidence, bordering on the impossible, carries a wink: even if such a paragon could exist, perhaps only he could claim the title. The quote’s circular logic underscores the futility in trying to outdo everyone on every front, and encourages a sense of humility and humor about one’s gifts.
Liebling’s words capture both the competitive spirit and the underlying camaraderie among writers, suggesting that while everyone wants to be the best, it is often our quirks, rather than our measurable talents, that set us apart.
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