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Books let us into their souls and lay open to us the secrets of our own.
William Hazlitt
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Books reveal deep insights about themselves and ourselves.

This quote suggests that books are more than just collections of words; they possess a depth and richness that can uncover hidden truths about the world and our inner selves. When we immerse ourselves in literature, we not only gain knowledge about the content but also reflect on our own experiences and emotions, fostering a deeper understanding of ourselves and the human condition.

Themes

BooksKnowledgeInsightSelf-DiscoveryLiterature

In practice

Example use cases

In a book club discussion, one might say, 'As Hazlitt suggests, books let us into their souls, allowing us to reflect on our own secrets.'

More from William Hazlitt

Pride is founded not on the sense of happiness, but on the sense of power.
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The world loves to be amused by hollow professions, to be deceived by flattering appearances, to live in a state of hallucination; and can forgive everything but the plain, downright, simple, honest truth.
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Our repugnance to death increases in proportion to our consciousness of having lived in vain.
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We can bear to be deprived of everything but our self-conceit.
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There are few things in which we deceive ourselves more than in the esteem we profess to entertain for our firends. It is little better than a piece of quackery. The truth is, we think of them as we please, that is, as they please or displease us.
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Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity is a greater. Possession pampers the mind; privation trains and strengthens it.
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