Meaning

The line reframes writing as an editorial process rather than an act of initial inspiration. A first draft, however it turns out, is not really the writing: it is the raw material. The actual craft lies in returning to that material, cutting away what is weak, and shaping what remains into something clear and honest. This is a useful corrective for anyone who feels discouraged by rough early work, because it suggests that messiness at the start is normal, not a sign of failure.

Context

This remark is attributed to Louis Brandeis, the American jurist who served on the Supreme Court in the early twentieth century. Brandeis was known for opinions and briefs that were meticulously argued and clearly written, and accounts of his working method suggest he revised extensively. Whether or not the exact wording originated with him, the sentiment is consistent with what is known about his approach to legal writing and his belief that clarity of expression was inseparable from clarity of thought. The attribution carries some uncertainty, as it does with many widely circulated sayings.

About the author

Louis Brandeis served as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1916 to 1939, becoming the first Jewish person to hold that position. Before his appointment to the bench he was a prominent attorney known for taking on cases involving the public interest. His judicial opinions were influential for their careful reasoning and their attention to economic and social facts, and his commitment to precision in language was evident throughout his professional life.