We possess the Canon because we are mortal and also rather…
“We possess the Canon because we are mortal and also rather belated. There is only so much time, and time must have a stop, while there is more to read than there ever was before. From the Yahwist and Homer to Freud, Kafka, and Beckett is a journey of nearly three millennia. Since that voyage goes past harbors as infinite as Dante, Chaucer, Montaigne, Shakespeare, and Tolstoy, all of whom amply compensate a lifetime's rereadings, we are in the pragmatic dilemma of excluding something else each time we read or reread extensively.”
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 reflects on humanity's limited time to read the vast literary tradition, forcing choices about what to prioritize.
In simple terms: We have limited time to read all great works.
Key Takeaway
Accept that you cannot read everything.
Themes
literature
time
choice
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic study
- personal reading lists
- library curation
- curriculum design
Key Concepts
canon
human mortality
reading fatigue
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide which texts to read next?
- What does rereading offer that new reading does not?
A Different Perspective
It overlooks the value of rereading familiar works for deeper insight.