It is pardonable for people to expect a writer to incarnate his own words. This would seem necessary if he is not to be a hypocrite. But they forget that his best writing comes out of his best moments, that such times come only at intervals, that such levels are inspired, hence beyond or above his ordinary ones, and that like all true artists he is used to paint ideals for the benefit of himself as well as other people. The ideal has its legitimate place even though there is a time-gap between it and the actuality. We need not be harshly over-critical of the writer who portrays it but is unable to live by its higher standard today. If he is sincere, he will arrive at it another day. If he is not, he still renders a useful service despite himself.
-- Notebooks Category 14: The Arts in Culture > Chapter 4 : Reflections On Specific Arts > # 73
