The clerisy are those who read for pleasure, but not for idleness; who read for pastime but not to kill time; who love books, but do not live by books.

Quote by Robertson Davies

Topics: Books Quotes

I was not sure I wanted to issue orders to life; I rather liked the...

I was not sure I wanted to issue orders to life; I rather liked the...

All mothers think their children are oaks, but the world never lacks for cabbages

All mothers think their children are oaks, but the world never lacks for cabbages

Fanaticism is overcompensation for doubt.

Fanaticism is overcompensation for doubt.

Inactivity and deprivation of all accustomed stimulus is not rest; it is a preparation for...

Inactivity and deprivation of all accustomed stimulus is not rest; it is a preparation for...

The quality of what is said inevitably influences the way in which it is said,...

The quality of what is said inevitably influences the way in which it is said,...

Authors like cats because they are such quiet, lovable, wise creatures, and cats like authors...

Authors like cats because they are such quiet, lovable, wise creatures, and cats like authors...

A truly great book should be read in youth, again in maturity and once more...

A truly great book should be read in youth, again in maturity and once more...

The love of truth lies at the root of much humor.

The love of truth lies at the root of much humor.

Literary critics, however, frequently suffer from a curious belief that every author longs to extend...

Literary critics, however, frequently suffer from a curious belief that every author longs to extend...

The great book for you is the book that has the most to say to...

The great book for you is the book that has the most to say to...

Authors like cats because they are such quiet, lovable, wise creatures, and cats like authors...

Authors like cats because they are such quiet, lovable, wise creatures, and cats like authors...

The people who fear humor - and there are many -are suspicious of its power...

The people who fear humor - and there are many -are suspicious of its power...

Their very conservatism is secondhand, and they don't know what they are conserving.

Their very conservatism is secondhand, and they don't know what they are conserving.

I do not 'get' ideas; ideas get me.

I do not 'get' ideas; ideas get me.

A Librettist is a mere drudge in the world of opera.

A Librettist is a mere drudge in the world of opera.

You never see what you want to see, forever playing to the gallery.

You never see what you want to see, forever playing to the gallery.

The love that dare not speak its name has become the love that won't shut...

The love that dare not speak its name has become the love that won't shut...

Fanaticism is overcompensation for doubt.

Fanaticism is overcompensation for doubt.

The tendency to claim God as an ally for our partisan value and ends is...

The tendency to claim God as an ally for our partisan value and ends is...

The worst vice of a fanatic is his sincerity.

The worst vice of a fanatic is his sincerity.