Who said “Fame often makes a writer vain, but seldom makes him proud.”?

Verified

W. H. Auden. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThe Dyer's Hand, and Other Essays (1962), "Writing"

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“Fame often makes a writer vain, but seldom makes him proud.”
— W. H. Auden
VerifiedThe Dyer's Hand, and Other Essays (1962), "Writing" · evidenceFame

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Dyer's Hand, and Other Essays (1962), "Writing".

APA

Auden, W. H. (n.d.). Fame often makes a writer vain, but seldom makes him proud. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/1231-fame-often-makes-a-writer-vain-but-seldom/

MLA

Auden, W. H. “Fame often makes a writer vain, but seldom makes him proud.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/1231-fame-often-makes-a-writer-vain-but-seldom/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Auden, W. H. “Fame often makes a writer vain, but seldom makes him proud.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/1231-fame-often-makes-a-writer-vain-but-seldom/.

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