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About this quote

What does it mean?
Literature expresses the thoughts of thoughtful people.
In plain terms
Books reflect the minds of reflective writers.
What can you take from it?
Read to engage with deep thinking.

Where it applies

  • studying classics
  • creative writing

Putting it to work

  • read widely
  • write reflectively

Questions to consider

  • What does 'thoughtful soul' mean to you?
  • How does literature shape thought?

Another view

Not all literature is thoughtful.

More from Thomas Carlyle

  1. No man lives without jostling and being jostled; in all ways he has to elbow himself through the world, giving and receiving offense.

    Permalink to quote #29
  2. All greatness is unconscious, or it is little and naught.

    Permalink to quote #31
  3. Under all speech that is good for anything there lies a silence that is better. Silence is deep as Eternity; speech is shallow as Time.

    Permalink to quote #28

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