"To read well, that is, to read true books in a true spirit, is a noble exercise, and one that will task the reader more than any exercise which the customs of the day esteem. It requires a training such as the athletes underwent, the steady intention almost of the whole life to this object. Books must be read as deliberately and reservedly as they were written." —Thoreau
7 comments:
A very accurate quote.The athlete comparison is interesting. Personally, I have found that reading difficult and challenging books has made me a better reader. So it makes sense.
Ah, but there’s the challenge. What are the “true books”? Hmmm.
Great quote (and I'm partial to Thoreau).
Brian,
I share your experience of finding that challenging books improve me as a reader.
R. T.,
Thoreau was like that: prone toward generalizations that leave with questions about his meaning.
Ruth,
I'm partial to Thoreau also. He is a many-sided thinker who can be read in many different ways by those with different perspectives.
That is very true.
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