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About this quote

What does it mean?
Reading good books provides an advantage over not reading at all.
In plain terms
Not reading gives you no advantage over being unable to read.
What can you take from it?
Reading good books is essential.

Where it applies

  • self-improvement
  • education
  • reading habits

Putting it to work

  • read quality books
  • prioritize learning

Questions to consider

  • Is reading truly necessary?
  • What books matter?

Another view

Life experience can also provide knowledge outside books.

More from Mark Twain

  1. Love your enemy, it'll scare the hell out of him.

    Permalink to quote #179
  2. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow.

    Permalink to quote #181
  3. Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear, and the blind can read.

    Permalink to quote #178

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