We shall say without hesitation that the atheist who is moved by love is moved by the Spirit of God; an atheist who lives by love is saved by his faith in the God whose existence (under that name) he denies.
William TempleRead
Who ever converses among old books will be hard to please among the new.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Engaging with classic literature shapes one's tastes and expectations, making modern works less satisfying.
This quote suggests that those who delve into the wisdom and insights found in historical texts will develop discerning tastes that are difficult to satisfy with contemporary works. The depth and richness of old books cultivate an appreciation for complexity and substance, creating a high standard that modern literature often struggles to meet.
Themes
BooksLiteratureWisdomDiscerning TasteOld Vs New
In practice
Example use cases
In a book club, to emphasize the depth of classic literature.
More from William Temple
All quotes βThe most influential of all educational factors is the conversation in a child's home.
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There cannot live a more unhappy creature than an ill-natured old man, who is neither capable of receiving pleasures, nor sensible of conferring them on others.
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