Cyril Connolly’s quote— “Better to write for yourself and have no public.."

 

I began writing a blog when my interest in palm oil mills grew stronger each day. At that time, information about life in the palm oil industry—especially estate and mill operations—was limited. Very few planters or millers were writing or sharing their experiences.

Only a handful of writers had documented the industry over the years, such as Mahbob Abdullah and Leslie Davidson. Beyond their work, much of the daily reality of estate and mill life remained untold.

Yet, life in the estate is filled with memories, challenges, and unique experiences—stories worth preserving and sharing with the world.

There was a time when Malaysia was the world’s number one palm oil producer, before Indonesia overtook the position in 2003. The industry was built by dedicated people working quietly behind the scenes, often far from cities and recognition.

Palm oil is not an industry that Malaysians alone should appreciate. The world should recognize it too. Together, Malaysia and Indonesia contribute nearly 70% of the global palm oil supply, making palm oil one of the most important vegetable oils feeding and supporting the world today.

This blog is my way of sharing those stories—of people, places, and life in the palm oil industry—so they are not forgotten.

Cyril Connolly’s quote—

“Better to write for yourself and have no public, than write for the public and have no self.”

—speaks about authenticity, integrity, and the purpose of creative work.

1. Writing for yourself = preserving your identity

When you write for yourself, you are guided by your inner voice—your values, beliefs, curiosity, and truth. Even if no one reads it, the writing still has meaning because it is honest. You remain whole as a person and as a thinker.
In this sense, writing becomes an act of self-discovery and self-respect, not a performance.

2. Writing only for the public = losing your self

Writing purely to please an audience can slowly push you to:

• Say what is popular, not what is true

• Follow trends instead of convictions

• Shape your voice to expectations rather than insight

Over time, this can lead to creative emptiness—you may gain readers, likes, or applause, but lose clarity about who you really are and what you actually believe.

3. The deeper warning

Connolly is not saying that having an audience is bad. He is warning against sacrificing your inner compass for external approval. Fame, reach, and validation are fragile. Your inner voice is not.

A writer without a public still has a self.
A writer without a self has nothing solid to offer the public.

4. The ideal balance

Ironically, the most powerful writing that reaches others often begins with radical honesty to oneself. When you write truthfully, readers who resonate with that truth will eventually find you.

Write to be real first.
Let the audience come second.

In short, Connolly reminds us that authenticity is more valuable than popularity, and that losing yourself is a far greater cost than being unread.

#Authenticity #Writing #LeadershipThoughts #PersonalGrowth #CreativeIntegrity #SelfReflection
#ThoughtLeadership #PurposeDriven #InnerVoice