Who said “I hold any writer sufficiently justified who is himself in love with his theme.”?

Verified

Henry James. A published source records them saying or writing it.

Source"Venice," The Century Magazine, vol. XXV (November 1882), reprinted in Portraits of Places (1883) and later in Italian Hours (1909), ch: I: Venice, pt. I

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“I hold any writer sufficiently justified who is himself in love with his theme.”
— Henry James
Verified"Venice," The Century Magazine, vol. XXV (November 1882), reprinted in Portraits of Places (1883) and later in Italian Hours (1909), ch: I: Venice, pt. I · evidenceWriters and Writing
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: "Venice," The Century Magazine, vol. XXV (November 1882), reprinted in Portraits of Places (1883) and later in Italian Hours (1909), ch: I: Venice, pt. I.

APA

James, H. (n.d.). I hold any writer sufficiently justified who is himself in love with his theme. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/42922-i-hold-any-writer-sufficiently-justified-who-is/

MLA

James, Henry. “I hold any writer sufficiently justified who is himself in love with his theme.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/42922-i-hold-any-writer-sufficiently-justified-who-is/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

James, Henry. “I hold any writer sufficiently justified who is himself in love with his theme.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/42922-i-hold-any-writer-sufficiently-justified-who-is/.

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“Deep experience is never peaceful.”
Verifiedde Mauves, Galaxy Magazine (February/March 1874), ch. V, reprinted in A Passionate Pilgrim (1875) and later in The Madonna of the Future and Other Tales (1879) and the New York Edition of James' works, vol. 13 (1908) · evidenceDetails & citeExperience
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