God, the bitter misery that reading works into this world!…
“God, the bitter misery that reading works into this world! Everybody knows that - everbody who IS everybody. All the best minds have been off reading for years. Look at the swing La Rouchefoucauld took at it. He said that if nobody had ever learned to read, very few people would be in love. Good for you, La Rouchefoucauld; nice going, boy. I wish I’d never learned to read.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Reading is portrayed as a source of sorrow and alienation, suggesting that knowledge can isolate individuals from authentic experience.
In simple terms: Reading can feel burdensome and isolating.
Key Takeaway
Consider the cost of constant learning.
Themes
alienation
knowledge
isolation
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- academic study
- social interaction
Key Concepts
existentialism
literary criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- Does knowledge always distance us?
- Can reading be a bridge rather than a wall?
A Different Perspective
Reading may also foster connection and growth, not just misery.