I dare say I am compelled, unconsciously compelled, now to write volume after volume, as in past years I was read more

I dare say I am compelled, unconsciously compelled, now to write volume after volume, as in past years I was compelled to go to sea, voyage after voyage. Leaves must follow upon each other as leagues used to follow in the days gone by, on and on to the appointed end, which, being truth itself, is one -- one for all men and for all occupations.

Literature is the question minus the answer.

Literature is the question minus the answer.

I always read the last page of a book first so that if I die before I finish I'll know read more

I always read the last page of a book first so that if I die before I finish I'll know how it turned out.

A poet in history is divine, but a poet in the next room is a joke.

A poet in history is divine, but a poet in the next room is a joke.

After all, all he did was string together a lot of old, well-known quotations.

After all, all he did was string together a lot of old, well-known quotations.

Literature is the immortality of speech.

Literature is the immortality of speech.

The great Cham of literature. (Samuel Johnson)

The great Cham of literature. (Samuel Johnson)

It is easier to buy books than to read them, and easier to read them than to absorb them.

It is easier to buy books than to read them, and easier to read them than to absorb them.

The printing press is either the greatest blessing or the greatest curse of modern times, sometimes one forgets which it read more

The printing press is either the greatest blessing or the greatest curse of modern times, sometimes one forgets which it is.