Voltaire's Philosophical Dictionary · Voltaire
_AUTHORS_
Author is a generic name which can, like the name of all other professions, signify good or bad, worthy of respect or ridicule, useful and agreeable, or trash for the wastepaper-basket. * * * * * We think that the author of a good work should refrain from three things--from putting his name, save very modestly, from the epistle dedicatory, and from the preface. Others should refrain from a fourth--that is, from writing. * * * * * Prefaces are another stumbling-block. "The 'I,'" said Pascal, "is hateful." Speak as little of yourself as possible; for you must know that the reader's self-esteem is as great as yours. He will never forgive you for wanting to condemn him to have a good opinion of you. It is for your book to speak for you, if it comes to be read by the crowd. * * * * * If you want to be an author, if you want to write a book; reflect that it must be useful and new, or at least infinitely agreeable. * * * * * If an ignoramus, a pamphleteer, presumes to criticize without discrimination, you can confound him; but make rare mention of him, for fear of sullying your writings. * * * * * If you are attacked as regards your style, never reply; it is for your work alone to make answer.
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