The use of reading, Gibbon says somewhere, is to aid us in…
““The use of reading, Gibbon says somewhere, is to aid us in thinking. I have always disagreed with Gibbon over that; he may have used literature to help him think, but for me, often, and for most of the human race I reckon (since I have no reason to think myself unique) books can be a mind-stupefying drug, employed to banish thought, not to invoke it. When I am unhappy I can sink into a novel as into unconsciousness. Blessed War and Peace, thrice blessed Mansfield Park; how many potential suicides have their pages distracted and soothed and entertained past the danger point?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Reading can numb the mind, serving as an escape rather than a stimulant for thought.
In simple terms: Books may dull thinking, offering distraction.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when reading is avoidance.
Themes
escape
distraction
mindfulness
Mood
contemplative
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
personal essay
When to use this quote
- stress relief
- emotional coping
- habit formation
- mental health
- literary critique
Key Concepts
cognitive numbing
literary escapism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you use books to avoid problems?
- When does reading become a distraction?
A Different Perspective
Reading may hinder critical thinking if overused.