It is saying less than the truth to affirm that an…
“It is saying less than the truth to affirm that an excellent book (and the remark holds almost equally good of a Raphael as of a Milton) is like a well-chosen and well-tended fruit tree. Its fruits are not of one season only. With the due and natural intervals, we may recur to it year after year, and it will supply the same nourishment and the same gratification, if only we ourselves return to it with the same healthful appetite.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A great book provides lasting nourishment like a fruit tree that bears fruit across seasons, rewarding readers who return with eager, healthy minds.
In simple terms: Books are enduring sources of nourishment.
Key Takeaway
Revisit valuable works regularly.
Themes
literature
growth
endurance
learning
nourishment
Mood
contemplative
inspirational
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- education
- personal development
- reading clubs
- creative inspiration
Key Concepts
metaphor
timelessness
intellectual appetite
Questions to Reflect On
- What books have you returned to for renewed insight?
- How does revisiting a work alter its meaning?
A Different Perspective
Not all books sustain interest over time; personal taste changes.