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    Quotation... A writer expresses himself in words that have been used before because they give his meaning better than he can give it himself, or because they are beautiful or witty, or because he expects them to touch a cord of association in his reader, or because he wishes to show that he is learned and well read. Quotations due to the last motive are invariably ill-advised; the discerning reader detects it and is contemptuous; the undiscerning is perhaps impressed, but even then is at the same time repelled, pretentious quotations being the surest road to tedium.

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The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it.

The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it.

by James Bryce Found in: Books and reading Quotes,
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  30  /  39  

No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting.

No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting.

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One must be a wise reader to quote wisely and well.

One must be a wise reader to quote wisely and well.

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The principle of procrastinated rape is said to be the ruling one in all the great bestsellers.

The principle of procrastinated rape is said to be the ruling one in all the great bestsellers.

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That is the point of quotations. One can use another's words to be insulting.

That is the point of quotations. One can use another's words to be insulting.

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A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the word you first thought of.

A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the word you first thought of.

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If writers were good businessmen, they'd have too much sense to be writers.

If writers were good businessmen, they'd have too much sense to be writers.

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Books are men of higher stature; the only men that speak aloud for future times to hear.

Books are men of higher stature; the only men that speak aloud for future times to hear.

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Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life.

Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life.

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