the best book ever written

I’ve asked my favorite musicians if, when they’re done writing a new song, they feel it’s the best song ever. All of them said yes.

I’ve asked my favorite authors if, when they’re done writing a new book, they feel it was the best book ever. All of them said no.

I don’t know why the two groups are so different. Do you? (Please post your thoughts, below, if so.)

As for me? I think the best book ever written is “How to Live”.

If I did nothing else with my life but write that book, it would have been a worthy life. It’s not ego. It’s not that I think I’m so special. But that book is definitely something very special.

I spent thousands of hours writing everything I ever learned, from the 400+ books I’ve read, and the 50+ years I’ve lived. Rough draft: over 1300 pages.

Then I spent thousands of hours editing it down to 112 poetic pages. Not a single unnecessary word.

Every now and then, I hear someone quote it. When they do, I think it’s the most beautiful quote I’ve ever heard. Then I remember I wrote it.

I feel I’m not supposed to admit all of this. But it’s honest.

Why don’t more writers feel this way?