But, children, you should never let Such angry passions rise; Your little hands were never made To tear each other's eyes.
Isaac WattsRead
Books can be passed around. They can be shared. A lot of people like seeing them in their houses. They are memories. People who don't understand books don't understand this. They learn from TV shows about organizing that you should get rid of the books that you aren't reading, but everyone who loves books believes the opposite. People who love books keep them around, like photos, to remind them of a great experience and so they can revisit and say, "Wow, this is a really great book."
Interpretation
What this quote means
Books are cherished for their memories and experiences, unlike the transient nature of TV shows.
This quote emphasizes the emotional and sentimental value that books hold for readers. Unlike merely consumable media like TV shows, books represent personal experiences, memories, and knowledge that readers choose to keep, akin to treasured photographs. Those who appreciate books find joy in their physical presence and the possibility of re-experiencing the knowledge and emotions contained within their pages, contrasting with the common advice to discard unused items.
Themes
BooksMemoriesExperiencesReadingSentimentality
In practice
Example use cases
I shared this quote in a book club meeting to discuss our emotional connections to our favorite reads.
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