"If we want to make a writer happy, there are three foolproof methods at our disposal, in ascending order of effectiveness: 1. Tell him that we have read one of his books. 2. Let him know we've read all his books. 3. We ask him to borrow the manuscript of his next work, saying that we want to read it. No. 1 we earn his respect by method; with No. 2 we earn his admiration; with No. 3, we will definitely place ourselves in his heart.
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Author
Mark TwainAll Translations
All Translations
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If we want to make a writer happy, there are three foolproof methods at our disposal, in ascending order of effectiveness: 1. Tell him that we have read one of his books. 2. Let him know we've read all his books. 3. We ask him to borrow the manuscript of his next work, saying that we want to read it. No. 1 we earn his respect by method; with No. 2 we earn his admiration; with No. 3, we will definitely place ourselves in his heart.
""Ha boldoggá akarunk tenni egy írót, három csalhatatlan módszer áll a rendelkezésünkre, éspedig - a hatásosság növekvő sorrendjében: 1. Közöljük vele, hogy olvastuk egy könyvét. 2. Közöljük vele, hogy olvastuk minden könyvét. 3. Kölcsönkérjük tőle a következő műve kéziratát, azzal, hogy el akarjuk olvasni. Az 1. sz. módszerrel kivívjuk a tiszteletét; a 2. sz.-val kivívjuk a bámulatát; a 3. sz.-val végképp beszállásoljuk magunkat a szívébe."