There is first the literature of knowledge, and secondly, the
literature of power. The function of the first is--to teach; the
function of the second is--to move, the first is a rudder, the
second an oar or a sail. The first speaks to the mere discursive
understanding; the second speaks ultimately, it may happen, to
the higher understanding or reason, but always through affections
of pleasure and sympathy.
- Thomas De Quincey ("The Opium Eater"),
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Books are the carriers of civilization. Without books, history is silent, literature dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a read more
Books are the carriers of civilization. Without books, history is silent, literature dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a standstill.
Literature is the question minus the answer.
Literature is the question minus the answer.
Every man's memory is his private literature.
Every man's memory is his private literature.
Woe to him who teaches men faster than they can learn.
Woe to him who teaches men faster than they can learn.
Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten.
Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten.
A good novel tells us the truth about its hero; but a bad novel tells us the truth about its read more
A good novel tells us the truth about its hero; but a bad novel tells us the truth about its author.
But wherefore thou alone? Wherefore with theeCame not all hell broke loose? Is pain to themLess pain, less to be read more
But wherefore thou alone? Wherefore with theeCame not all hell broke loose? Is pain to themLess pain, less to be fled, or thou than theyLess hardy to endure? Courageous chief,The first in flight from pain, hadst thou allegedTo thy deserted host this cause of flight,Thou surely hadst not come sole fugitive. - Paradise Lost.
The death of Dr. Hudson is a loss to the republick of letters.
The death of Dr. Hudson is a loss to the republick of letters.
