The Wise
(Minstrel or Sage,) out of their books are clay;
But in their books, as from read more

The Wise
(Minstrel or Sage,) out of their books are clay;
But in their books, as from their graves they rise.
Angels--that, side by side, upon our way,
Walk with and warn us!

The profit of books is according to the sensibility of the reader. The profoundest thought or passion sleeps as in read more

The profit of books is according to the sensibility of the reader. The profoundest thought or passion sleeps as in a mine, until an equal mind and heart finds and publishes it.

We get no good
By being ungenerous, even to a book,
And calculating profits--so much help
read more

We get no good
By being ungenerous, even to a book,
And calculating profits--so much help
By so much reading. It is rather when
We gloriously forget ourselves, and plunge
Soul-forward, headlong, into a book's profound,
Impassioned for its beauty, and salt of truth--
'Tis then we get the right good from a book.

The great American novel has not only already been written, it has already been rejected.

The great American novel has not only already been written, it has already been rejected.

A library is thought in cold storage.

A library is thought in cold storage.

We call some books immortal! Do they live?
If so, believe me, Time hath made them pure.
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We call some books immortal! Do they live?
If so, believe me, Time hath made them pure.
In Books, the veriest wicked rest in peace.

Oh that my words were now written! on that they were printed in
a book!

Oh that my words were now written! on that they were printed in
a book!

A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.

A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.

Master books, but do not let them master you. - Read to live, not live to read.

Master books, but do not let them master you. - Read to live, not live to read.