It cannot but be injurious to the human mind never to be…
“It cannot but be injurious to the human mind never to be called into effort: the habit of receiving pleasure without any exertion of thought, by the mere excitement of curiosity, and sensibility, may be justly ranked among the worst effects of habitual novel-reading.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Passive consumption of pleasure without mental effort dulls the mind, making curiosity and thought less active.
In simple terms: Reading without thinking harms the mind.
Key Takeaway
Engage actively with what you read.
Themes
mindfulness
reading
intellectual effort
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- education
- personal development
- media consumption
Key Concepts
cognitive psychology
habit formation
Questions to Reflect On
- What habits make your reading passive?
- How can you turn leisure reading into active learning?
A Different Perspective
Pleasure can be beneficial when balanced with reflection.