And everyone is writing a book
Neither an ancient tablet nor Cicero is responsible for the quote
Times are bad. Children no longer obey their parents, and everyone is writing a book.
It is funny though. I can see why people like it. It's true that people have always been very "young people nowadays!" That society is in decline, the world is ending. Times are bad.
Why a book though? Why do books draw particular ire? Is it really on the same level of moral degradation as children disobeying their parents? Why not write a book? Books are great.
I've drawn lots of pictures and I'm a terrible artist. I'm on a level with the picture of the hat part of the boa constrictor that has eaten an elephant. I like eating food for more than just survival. Which makes me want to grow my own food and to cook. I'm not very good at cooking but I do enjoy it. This is, to me, preferable to the other way round. I love music and listen to it as much as possible. I sing along if there's no one to hear, and have a little jig. I've tried to learn different instruments but I do not have a musical bone in my body.
It's completely normal to like the thing and then do it yourself. Lots of football fans play football, even if just enjoying a kickabout. It's completely normal to see professionals or otherwise skilled people do a thing and then want to try it yourself.
Why would enjoying reading and therefore wanting to write a book be any different? It's not!
Amateur is for the love of a thing. As my motto says: if something is worth doing, it's worth doing badly.