Books have always a secret influence on the understanding; we
cannot at pleasure obliterate ideas: he that reads books read more

Books have always a secret influence on the understanding; we
cannot at pleasure obliterate ideas: he that reads books of
science, though without any desire fixed of improvement, will
grow more knowing; he that entertains himself with moral or
religious treatises, will imperceptibly advance in goodness; the
ideas which are often offered to the mind, will at last find a
lucky moment when it is disposed to receive them.

Reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body. As by the
one, health is preserved, strengthened, read more

Reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body. As by the
one, health is preserved, strengthened, and invigorated: by the
other, virtue (which is the health of the mind) is kept alive,
cherished, and confirmed.

Night after night,
He sat and bleared his eyes with books.

Night after night,
He sat and bleared his eyes with books.

Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.

Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.

If time is precious, no book that will not improve by repeated
readings deserves to be read at all.

If time is precious, no book that will not improve by repeated
readings deserves to be read at all.

We have not read an author till we have seen his object, whatever
it may be, as he saw read more

We have not read an author till we have seen his object, whatever
it may be, as he saw it.

What they're accustomed to is no great matter,
But then, alas! they've read an awful deal.
[Ger., read more

What they're accustomed to is no great matter,
But then, alas! they've read an awful deal.
[Ger., Zwar sind sie an das Beste nicht gewohnt,
Allein sie haben schrecklich viel gelesen.]

If we encountered a man or rare intellect, we should ask him what
books he read.
read more

If we encountered a man or rare intellect, we should ask him what
books he read.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson,

Every man who knows how to read has it in his power to magnify himself, to multiply the ways in read more

Every man who knows how to read has it in his power to magnify himself, to multiply the ways in which he exists, to make his life full, significant and interesting