In reading some books we occupy ourselves chiefly with the thoughts of the author; in perusing others, exclusively with our own.
Many years ago, I contracted an intimacy with a Mr. William Legrand. He was of an ancient Huguenot family, and had once been wealthy; but a series of misfortunes had reduced him to want.
The usual derivation of the word Metaphysics is not to be sustainedthe science is supposed to take its name from its superiority to physics. The truth is, that Aristotle’s treatise on Morals is next in succession to his Book of Physics.
Marking a book is literally an experience of your differences or agreements with the author. It is the highest respect you can pay him.
Books, indeed, were his sole luxuries.
I do not read a book; I hold a conversation with the author.
A book on cheap paper does not convince. It is not prized, it is like a wheezy doctor with pigtail tobacco breath, who needs a manicure.
No book is of much importance; the vital thing is, What do you yourself think?
It is not book learning young men need, nor instruction about this and that, but a stiffening of the vertebra which will cause them to be loyal to a trust, to act promptly, concentrate their energies, do a thing.
This will never be a civilized country until we spend more money for books than we do for chewing gum.
Academic education is the act of memorizing things read in books, and things told by college professors who got their education mostly by memorizing things read in books.
A day out-of-doors, someone I loved to talk with, a good book and some simple food and music – that would be rest.
So I took an interest in politics, but I don’t know whether I enjoyed it! It was a wife’s duty to be interested in whatever interested her husband, whether it was politics, books, or a particular dish for dinner.
I once considered writing a book called I’m not OK and you’re not OK, and that’s OK.
No man can be called friendless who has God and the companionship of good books.
Books are men of higher stature, and the only men that speak aloud for future times to hear.
Of writing many books there is no end.
Many a fervid man writes books as cold and flat as graveyard stones.
Books succeed; and lives fail.
I think my weakness as a writer is a limited imagination, and I think my strength is a talent for reflecting the world, or sort of curating things out of the world and putting them into books.