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A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.
George R. R. Martin
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Reading enriches life by allowing individuals to experience multiple perspectives and lives through literature.

This quote emphasizes the transformative power of reading, suggesting that through books, a reader can explore diverse experiences, cultures, and emotions. In contrast, those who do not read limit themselves to a singular life experience, missing out on the vast knowledge and insights that literature offers.

Themes

ReadingLifeExperienceBooksImagination

In practice

Example use cases

During a book club meeting to highlight the importance of reading.

More from George R. R. Martin

One of the great things about books is you can afford to do anything.
George R. R. MartinRead
I hate outlines. I have a broad sense of where the story is going; I know the end, I know the end of the principal characters, and I know the major turning points and events from the books, the climaxes for each book, but I don't necessarily know each twist and turn along the way. That's something I discover in the course of writing and that's what makes writing enjoyable. I think if I outlined comprehensively and stuck to the outline the actual writing would be boring.
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There is only one god and his name is Death. And there is only one thing we say to Death: β€œNot today.
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I did not do it. Yet now I wish I had.’ He turned to face the hall, that sea of pale faces. β€˜I wish I had enough poison for you all. You make me sorry that I am not the monster you would have me be, yet there it is. I am innocent, but I will get no justice here.
George R. R. MartinRead
But a voice inside her whispered, There are no heroes, and she remembered what Lord Petyr had said to her, here in this very hall. 'Life is not a song, sweetling,' he'd told her, 'You may learn that one day to your sorrow.' In life, the monsters win, she told herself.
George R. R. MartinRead
I write from this tight third-person viewpoint, where each chapter is seen through the eyes of one individual character. When I'm writing that character, I become that character and identify with that character.
George R. R. MartinRead

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Or heritage and ideals, our code and standards - the things we live by and teach our children - are preserved or diminished by how freely we exchange ideas and feelings.
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Far more thought and care go into the composition of any prominent ad in a newspaper or magazine than go into the writing of their features and editorials.
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