Rocks are records of events that took place at the time they formed. They are books. They have a different vocabulary, a different alphabet, but you learn how to read them.

Quote by John McPhee

Topics: Books Quotes

He liked to go from A to B without inventing letters between.

He liked to go from A to B without inventing letters between.

The best of a book is not the thought which it contains, but the thought...

The best of a book is not the thought which it contains, but the thought...

Due attention to the inside of books, and due contempt for the outside, is the...

Due attention to the inside of books, and due contempt for the outside, is the...

The pleasure of all reading is doubled when one lives with another who shares the...

The pleasure of all reading is doubled when one lives with another who shares the...

There is no substitute for books in the life of a child.

There is no substitute for books in the life of a child.

Between the covers of the books that no one had ever read again, in the...

Between the covers of the books that no one had ever read again, in the...

England has two books, one which she has made and one which has made her:...

England has two books, one which she has made and one which has made her:...

I suggest that the only books that influence us are those for which we are...

I suggest that the only books that influence us are those for which we are...

There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well...

There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well...

Books will speak plain when counselors blanch.

Books will speak plain when counselors blanch.

SCRIPTURES, n. The sacred books of our holy religion, as distinguished from the false and...

SCRIPTURES, n. The sacred books of our holy religion, as distinguished from the false and...

If there's a book you really want to read but it hasn't been written yet,...

If there's a book you really want to read but it hasn't been written yet,...

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in...

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in...

Joey: Beth is really sick, I don't think they can do anything for her. Rachel:...

Joey: Beth is really sick, I don't think they can do anything for her. Rachel:...

Do not suppose, however, that I intend to urge a diet of classics on anybody....

Do not suppose, however, that I intend to urge a diet of classics on anybody....

He that can compose himself, is wiser than he that composes books

He that can compose himself, is wiser than he that composes books

Formerly we used to canonize our heroes. The modern method is to vulgarize them. Cheap...

Formerly we used to canonize our heroes. The modern method is to vulgarize them. Cheap...

The wise man reads both books and life itself.

The wise man reads both books and life itself.

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...