A conventional good read is usually a bad read, a relaxing bath in what we know already. A true good read is surely an act of innovative creation in which we, the readers, become conspirators.

Quote by Augustine Birrell

Topics: Augustine Birrell Quotes

History is the great dust-heap... a pageant and not a philosophy.

History is the great dust-heap... a pageant and not a philosophy.

History is the great dust-heap... a pageant and not a philosophy.

History is the great dust-heap... a pageant and not a philosophy.

A conventional good read is usually a bad read, a relaxing bath in what we...

A conventional good read is usually a bad read, a relaxing bath in what we...

An ordinary man can surround himself with two thousand books and thenceforward have at least...

An ordinary man can surround himself with two thousand books and thenceforward have at least...

Friendship is a word, the very sight of which in print makes the heart warm.

Friendship is a word, the very sight of which in print makes the heart warm.

That great dust-heap called 'history'.

That great dust-heap called 'history'.

Libraries are not made, they grow.

Libraries are not made, they grow.

An ordinary man can...surround himself with two thousand books...and thenceforward have at least one place...

An ordinary man can...surround himself with two thousand books...and thenceforward have at least one place...

Given Pounds and five years, and an ordinary man can in the ordinary course, without...

Given Pounds and five years, and an ordinary man can in the ordinary course, without...

Friendship is a word, the very sight of which in print makes the heart warm.

Friendship is a word, the very sight of which in print makes the heart warm.

Libraries are not made, they grow

Libraries are not made, they grow

I do this real moron thing, it's called thinking, and I'm not a very good...

I do this real moron thing, it's called thinking, and I'm not a very good...

Libraries are the one American institution you shouldn't rip off.

Libraries are the one American institution you shouldn't rip off.

Your library is your portrait.

Your library is your portrait.

That perfect tranquillity of life, which is nowhere to be found but in retreat, a...

That perfect tranquillity of life, which is nowhere to be found but in retreat, a...

Laughter is day, and sobriety is night; a smile is the twilight that hovers gently...

Laughter is day, and sobriety is night; a smile is the twilight that hovers gently...

I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.

I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.

Without libraries what have we? We have no past and no future

Without libraries what have we? We have no past and no future

My books are very few, but then the world is before me - a library...

My books are very few, but then the world is before me - a library...

Books in a large university library system: 2,000,000. Books in an average large city library:...

Books in a large university library system: 2,000,000. Books in an average large city library:...