Ah! How little they must have had to think about, to have…
““Ah! How little they must have had to think about, to have been able to read so much. And when I actually find it reported of the elder Pliny that he was continually reading or being read to, at table, on a journey, or in his bath, the question forces itself upon my mind, whether the man was so very lacking in thought of his own that he had to have alien thought incessantly instilled into him; as though he were a consumptive patient taking jellies to keep himself alive.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote critiques excessive reliance on external ideas, suggesting that constant reading may indicate a lack of original thought.
In simple terms: Reading too much may reflect a weak personal mind.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate original thinking.
Themes
knowledge
originality
intellectual independence
Mood
contemplative
critical
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic study
- personal reflection
- creative writing
- education
- self‑development
Key Concepts
philosophy
literary criticism
cognitive dependence
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you balance reading with personal reflection?
- How can you turn absorbed ideas into your own?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on reading can still be valuable for learning.