You must get into the habit of looking intensely at words…
“You must get into the habit of looking intensely at words, and assuring yourself of their meaning, syllable by syllable-nay, letter by letter... you might read all the books in the British Museum (if you could live long enough) and remain an utterly "illiterate," undeducated person; but if you read ten pages of a good book, letter by letter, - that is to say, with real accuracy- you are for evermore in some measure an educated person.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Intense, meticulous reading builds true education, more than volume.
In simple terms: Careful reading teaches more than many books.
Key Takeaway
Read slowly, focus on each word.
Themes
education
reading
detail
Mood
thoughtful
educational
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic study
- self‑education
- language mastery
Key Concepts
literacy
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How does slow reading affect comprehension?
- When is breadth more valuable than depth?
A Different Perspective
Time‑consuming; may limit breadth.