Be as careful of the books you read as of the company you keep; for your
habits and character will be as much influenced by the former as the
latter.--_Paxton Hood._
Homeliness is almost as great a merit in a book as in a house, if the
reader would abide there. It is next to beauty, and a very high
art.--_Thoreau._
A book _is_ good company. It is full of conversation without loquacity.
It comes to your longing with full instruction, but pursues you never.
It is not offended at your absent-mindedness, nor jealous if you turn to
other pleasures. It silently serves the soul without recompense, not
even for the hire of love. And yet more noble,--it seems to pass from
itself, and to enter the memory, and to hover in a silvery
transfiguration there, until the outward book is but a body, and its
soul and spirit are flown to you, and possess your memory like a
spirit.--_Beecher._
If the crowns of all the kingdoms of Europe were laid down at my feet in
exchange for my books and my love of reading, I would spurn them
all.--_Fenelon._
We ought to regard books as we do sweetmeats, not wholly to aim at the
pleasantest, but chiefly to respect the wholesomest; not forbidding
either, but approving the latter most.--_Plutarch._
To buy books only because they were published by an eminent printer, is
much as if a man should buy clothes that did not fit him, only because
made by some famous tailor.--_Pope._