Il en est des livres comme du feu de nos foyers; on va prendre ce feu chez son voisin, on l'allume chez soi, on le communique a d'autres, et il appartient a tous.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Books are like fire: shared and passed between people without losing value.
- In plain terms
- Sharing knowledge and books helps everyone without reducing the source.
- What can you take from it?
- Knowledge grows when shared.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What do you share to help others?
- How does sharing benefit the giver?
Another view
Digital rights management restricts sharing in practice.
More from Voltaire
Ainsi presque tout est imitation. L'idee des Lettres persanes est prise de celle de l'Espion turc. Le Boiardo a imite le Pulci, l'Arioste a imite le Boiardo. L…
Permalink to quote #6 Ou est l'amitie est la patrie.
Permalink to quote #8 Les anciens Romains elevaient des prodiges d'architecture pour faire combattre des betes.
Permalink to quote #5
Related quotes
Do not be guilty of possessing a library of learned books while lacking learning yourself.
Desiderius ErasmusDesiderius Erasmus quote #5 Libraries are the one American institution you shouldn't rip off.
Barbara KingsolverBarbara Kingsolver quote #15 I intend no Monopoly, but a Community in Learning; I study not for my own sake only, but for theirs that study not for themselves.
Sir Thomas BrowneSir Thomas Browne quote #19