The profit of books is according to the sensibility of the reader. The profoundest thought or passion sleeps as in a mine until an equal mind and heart finds and publishes it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Books only provide value when the reader is ready to understand them. Great ideas remain hidden until a matching mind discovers them.
- In plain terms
- A book is only useful if you are ready to get it.
- What can you take from it?
- Find books that match your current understanding.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When are you ready to learn?
- How do you find meaning?
Another view
It assumes readers cannot grow into understanding with effort.
More from Ralph Waldo Emerson
Next to the originator of a good sentence is the first quoter of it.
Permalink to quote #276 A great man quotes bravely, and will not draw on his invention when his memory serves him with a word just as good.
Permalink to quote #278 The heroic cannot be the common, nor can the common be the heroic.
Permalink to quote #275
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