There is a soak-the-rich attitude in the air, a feeling that if

Yes — that quote is correctly attributed to Sir Terry Pratchett (1948–2015), the beloved English novelist and satirist best known for his Discworld series.

“There is a soak-the-rich attitude in the air, a feeling that if you have a lot of money you must have got it by some ghastly means. I can quite happily say there was never any family money. All the money we got was mine, just from writing books.”
— Terry Pratchett

Context and Background

Terry Pratchett made this comment in an interview discussing fame, success, and class attitudes in Britain, particularly the public perception of wealthy artists and authors. Pratchett — who rose from a modest background to become one of the world’s best-selling fantasy writers — often addressed issues of merit, work ethic, and social prejudice with his characteristic humor and clarity.

Interpretation

In this quote, Pratchett pushes back against the stereotype that wealth implies corruption or exploitation, especially when applied to creative people. He reminds readers that his own success came purely from his craft and effort — from writing, not inheritance or privilege.

It also subtly reflects his broader worldview: Pratchett frequently used satire to critique snobbery, hypocrisy, and moral judgment, both in his fiction and his public commentary.

Summary

This remark captures Pratchett’s working-class pride and self-deprecating wit. It’s both a defense of honest success and a sharp observation about society’s uneasy relationship with prosperity — especially when it’s earned through imagination and words rather than inherited wealth.