“In the same way there is much, much in all of us, but we do not know it. No one ever calls it out in us, unless we are lucky enough to know intelligent, imaginative, sympathetic people who love us and have the magnanimity to encourage us, to believe in us, by listening, by praise, by appreciation, by laughing. If you are going to write, you must become aware of this richness in you and come to believe in it and know it is there so that you can write opulently with with self-trust. Once you become aware of it, have faith in it, you will be all right. But it is like this: if you have a million dollars in the bank and don't know, it doesn't so you any good.”
Brenda Ueland“By encouraging the critic in themselves (the hater) they have killed the artist (the lover).”
Brenda Ueland, If You Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit“This is what I learned: that everybody is talented, original and has something important to say.”
Brenda Ueland“Since you are like no other being ever created since the beginning of time you are incomparable.”
Brenda Ueland“Everybody is talented original and has something important to say.”
Brenda Ueland“When we are listened to it creates us makes us unfold and expand. Ideas actually begin to grow within us and come to life.”
Brenda Ueland“Inspiration does not come like a bolt nor is it kinetic energy striving but it comes to us slowly and quietly and all the time.”
Brenda Ueland“Orthodox criticism ... is a murderer of talent. And because the most modest and sensitive people are the most talented having the most imagination and sympathy these are the first ones to get killed off.”
Brenda Ueland“It is only by expressing all that is inside that purer and purer streams come.”
Brenda Ueland“We are always afraid to start something that we want to make very good true and serious.”
Brenda Ueland“In true courage there is always an element of choice of an ethical choice and of anguish and also of action and deed. There is always a flame of spirit in it a vision of some necessity higher than oneself.”
Brenda Ueland