The professional learns to recognize envy-driven criticism and to take it for what it is: the supreme compliment. The critic hates most that which he would have done himself if he had had the guts.

— Steven Pressfield

There's a problem with the hierarchical orientation, though. When the numbers get too big, the thing breaks down. A pecking order can hold only so many chickens.

— Steven Pressfield

The sign of the amateur is overglorification of and preoccupation with the mystery. The professional shuts up. She doesn't talk about it. She does her work.

— Steven Pressfield

The song we’re composing already exists in potential. Our work is to find it.

— Steven Pressfield

The working artist will not tolerate trouble in her life because she knows trouble prevents her from doing her work.

— Steven Pressfield

The working artist will not tolerate trouble in her life because she knows trouble prevents her from doing her work. The working artist banishes from her world all sources of trouble. She harnesses the urge for trouble and transforms it in her work.

— Steven Pressfield

This is the other secret that real artists know and wannabe writers don’t. When we sit down each day and do our work, power concentrates around us. The Muse takes note of our dedication. She approves. We have earned favor in her sight. When we sit down and work, we become like a magnetized rod that attracts iron filings. Ideas come. Insights accrete.

— Steven Pressfield

This man has conquered the world! What have you done?" The philosopher replied without an instant's hesitation, "I have conquered the need to conquer the world.

— Steven Pressfield

To labor in the arts for any reason other than love is prostitution.

— Steven Pressfield

To yield to Resistance deforms our spirit. It stunts us and makes us less than we are and were born to be.

— Steven Pressfield