If some books are deemed most baneful and their sale forbid, how then …

Herman Melville
214 citations
If some books are deemed most baneful and their sale forbid, how then with deadlier facts, not dreams of doting men? Those whom books will hurt will not be proof against events. Events, not books should be forbid. ✨ 1854 'The Encantadas, Sketch Eighth', in Putnam's Monthly Magazine, May.
Death Reading Truth
16

More Author Quotes

And, as for me, if, by any possibility, there be any as yet undiscovered prime thing in me; if I shall ever deserve any real repute in that small but high hushed world which I might not be unreasonab … ▶
Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering whale... from hell's heart I stab at thee. ✨ Moby Dick ch. 135 (1851)
Take almost any path you please, and ten to one it carries you down in a dale, and leaves you there by a pool in the stream. There is magic in it. Let the most absent-minded of men be plunged in his … ▶
Book! You lie there; the fact is, you books must know your places. You'll do to give us the bare words and facts, but we come in to supply the thoughts. ✨ Herman Melville (2008). Moby-Dick, p.481, Ve … ▶
Whatever my fate, I'll go to it laughing.

If some books are deemed most baneful and their sale forbid, how then with deadlier facts, not dreams of doting men? Those whom books will hurt will not be proof against events. Events, not books should be forbid. ✨ 1854 'The Encantadas, Sketch Eighth', in Putnam's Monthly Magazine, May.

More Author Quotes

Most Cited Authors

The Best Quotes

Most Liked Authors

Curated Author Quotes