A book can never be anything more than the impression of its author's thoughts. The value of these thoughts lies either in the matter about which he has thought, or in the form in which he develops his matter - that is to say, what he has thought about it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A book is only the imprint of its author’s thoughts; its value lies in the subject matter or the form of expression.
- In plain terms
- A book reflects its author’s ideas; value comes from content or style.
- What can you take from it?
- Focus on both what is said and how it’s said.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes a book valuable to a reader?
- Can form outweigh content?
Another view
Readers may find value in a book even if they disagree with the author’s thoughts.
More from Arthur Schopenhauer
No greater mistake can be made than to imagine that what has been written latest is always the more correct; that what is written later on is an improvement on…
Permalink to quote #95 For a work to become immortal it must possess so many excellences that it will not be easy to find a man who understands and values them all; so that there wil…
Permalink to quote #97 There are, first of all, two kinds of authors: those who write for the subject's sake, and those who write for writing's sake. The first kind have had thoughts…
Permalink to quote #94
Related quotes
Lichtenberg digs deeper than anyone: . He speaks from the subterranean depths. Only he who himself digs deep hears him.
Karl KrausKarl Kraus quote #31 How does thought take shape?
Robert M. PirsigRobert M. Pirsig quote #91 No man was ever yet a great poet, without being at the same time a profound philosopher.
Samuel Taylor ColeridgeSamuel Taylor Coleridge quote #116