"In Britain, because I live here, I can also run into problems of envy and competition. But all this is just in a day's work for a writer. You can't put stuff out there without someone calling you a complete fool. Oh, well"

This quote by Alain de Botton highlights the obstacles and struggles that included being an author in Britain. The author acknowledges that residing in this nation can lead to feelings of envy and competition amongst fellow writers. Nevertheless, he also recognizes that these troubles are simply part of the job. As an author, one should be prepared to face criticism and be called a fool for putting their work out into the world. In spite of this, the author appears to have a casual attitude towards it, simply saying "oh well." This quote sheds light on the durability and thick skin that authors should have in order to navigate the competitive and often extreme world of literature.