Sri Aurobindo on Poetry, Literature and Art (or writing in general)

There should be no "desire" to be a "great" writer. If there is a genuine inspiration or coming of a power to write, then it can be done but to use it as a means of service to the Divine is the proper spirit.

14 May 1934

Every artist almost (there can be rare exceptions) has got something of the public man in him in his vital-physical parts, which makes him crave for the stimulus of an audience, social applause, satisfied vanity, appreciation, fame. That must go absolutely if you want to be a yogi; your art must be a service not of your own ego, but solely of the Divine.

14 September 1929

Do you want fame? If one succeeds, it means much meaningless and insincere adulation on one side, on the other hartred, jealousy, backbitting, adverse criticism, attack and unjust depreciation. Are you ready for all that?

18 March 1937

Sri Aurobindo - Lettres on Poetry and Art