"If writers were good businessmen, they'd have too much sense to be writers"

Irvin S. Cobb’s witty observation highlights the unique mindset of a writer compared to that of a practical businessperson. The world of literature is driven by passion, creativity, and often a willingness to take risks without the assurance of financial gain. Writers are dedicated to crafting stories, expressing emotions, and sharing truths, even when the monetary rewards are uncertain or minimal. Contrastingly, good businessmen are characterized by calculating risks, maximizing profit, and making decisions based on economic sense rather than emotion or inspiration.

The core of Cobb’s remark lies in the suggestion that writing, as a profession, seldom aligns with lucrative financial rewards, at least not reliably so. Those who excel in business often pursue ventures known for profitability and security, carefully weighing cost against benefit. A good businessperson might view the solitary, speculative toil of writing a novel or poem as an imprudent investment of time and energy. If someone possessed an innate talent for commerce, Cobb jokes that their logical instincts would steer them away from the uncertainties of the literary world.

There is also an undercurrent of respect, and perhaps gentle exasperation, for writers’ apparent disregard for practical outcomes. The creative drive compels many writers to keep writing regardless of meager paychecks or lack of recognition. Their priorities are shaped by the pursuit of art, the need for self-expression, or the hope of making a lasting impact on readers. While a shrewd business mind calculates the bottom line, the writer often acts out of conviction and vision, chasing ideals that are not quantifiable.

Ultimately, Cobb’s aphorism humorously underscores a truth about the artistic life: it is fueled by motivations that transcend material gain. The best writers are driven not by the sense that fills ledgers, but by the passion that fills pages.