--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To be well informed, one must read…" description: "\"To be well informed, one must read quickly a great number of merely instructive books. To be cultivated, one must read slowly and with a lingering appr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d36/aldous-huxley-97_appreciation_to-be-well-informed-one-must-read-quickl_2650996.jpg" --- # To be well informed, one must read quickly a great number… ![“To be well informed, one must read quickly a great number of merely instructive books. To be cultivated, one must read slowly and with a lingering appreciation the comparatively few books that have been written by men who lived, thought, and felt with style.” quote by Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d36/aldous-huxley-97_appreciation_to-be-well-informed-one-must-read-quickl_2650996.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d36/aldous-huxley-97_appreciation_to-be-well-informed-one-must-read-quickl_2650996.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d36/aldous-huxley-97_appreciation_to-be-well-informed-one-must-read-quickl_2650996.jpg) > “To be well informed, one must read quickly a great number of merely instructive books. To be cultivated, one must read slowly and with a lingering appreciation the comparatively few books that have been written by men who lived, thought, and felt with style.” [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reading fast gives breadth of knowledge; reading slowly gives depth and appreciation of style. **In simple terms:** Fast reading builds information; slow reading builds insight. Key Takeaway Balance speed and depth in reading. Themes learning reading culture Mood reflective inquisitive Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - academic research - personal development - book clubs - career skill building Key Concepts information overload literary appreciation Questions to Reflect On - Do you prioritize quantity or quality in your reading? - How can you integrate both approaches? A Different Perspective Fast reading may sacrifice critical thinking and retention. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Appreciation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appreciation/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Style](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/style/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [“Stay on good terms with each other,’ ” he read slowly, putting emphasis on each word, “‘held together by love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-carlson/stay-on-good-terms-with-each-other-he-read-slowly-putting-emphasis-on/) [Melody Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-carlson/) > [The nasty little secret was that I couldn't read worth a darn. In my case, I still read very slowly to this moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-schwab/the-nasty-little-secret-was-that-i-couldn-t-read-worth-a-darn-in-my/) [Charles R. Schwab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-schwab/) > [I read slowly, I watch movies slowly, because I retain everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goldlink/i-read-slowly-i-watch-movies-slowly-because-i-retain-everything/) [Goldlink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goldlink/) > [“There is an impression abroad that literary folk are fast readers. Wine tasters are not heavy drinkers. Literary people read slowly because they sample…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-mcluhan/there-is-an-impression-abroad-that-literary-folk-are-fast-readers/) [Marshall McLuhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-mcluhan/) > [It's a shameful thing to admit for someone who writes such long books, but I read so slowly that I almost subvocalize.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-chernow/it-s-a-shameful-thing-to-admit-for-someone-who-writes-such-long-books/) [Ron Chernow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-chernow/) > [“Every book should be read no more slowly than it deserves, and no more quickly than you can read it with satisfaction and comprehension.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-van-doren/every-book-should-be-read-no-more-slowly-than-it-deserves-and-no-more/) [Charles Van Doren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-van-doren/) > [It has long been my boast that I can read or eat anything. But unfortunately, although I eat like a Hoover, I read so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katharine-whitehorn/it-has-long-been-my-boast-that-i-can-read-or-eat-anything-but/) [Katharine Whitehorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katharine-whitehorn/) > [The main challenge that television presents is that I have a tendency to say things with a great deal of precision and accuracy. Often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-greene/the-main-challenge-that-television-presents-is-that-i-have-a-tendency/) [Brian Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-greene/) > [“Trying to read slowly when you haven't had time to read is like holding back hunger. It's like having a meal in front of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-hendrie/trying-to-read-slowly-when-you-haven-t-had-time-to-read-is-like/) Laura Hendrie > [Read him slowly, dear girl, you must read Kipling slowly. Watch carefully where the commas fall so you can discover the natural pauses. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ondaatje/read-him-slowly-dear-girl-you-must-read-kipling-slowly-watch/) [Michael Ondaatje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ondaatje/) > [“I know they're not actually talking but the books on my desk seem to whisper "Drop what you're doing! Set aside your poetry! Open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sanders/i-know-they-re-not-actually-talking-but-the-books-on-my-desk-seem-to/) Edward Sanders > [“Great speed in reading is a dubious achievement; it is of value only if what you have to read is not worth reading. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mortimer-j-adler/great-speed-in-reading-is-a-dubious-achievement-it-is-of-value-only/) [Mortimer J. Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mortimer-j-adler/) > [Read This SLowLy - LIFEISNOWHERE What Did U Read? LiFe Is No Where! OR LiFe IS Now Here!! LiFe Depends On The way we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/read-this-slowly-lifeisnowhere-what-did-u-read-life-is-no-where-or/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I am a serious reader, and I read slowly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-b-yehoshua/i-am-a-serious-reader-and-i-read-slowly/) [A. B. Yehoshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-b-yehoshua/) > [Books are slow. They require time; they are written slowly, published slowly, and read slowly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-buzbee/books-are-slow-they-require-time-they-are-written-slowly-published/) [Lewis Buzbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-buzbee/) ## More by Aldous Huxley > [“Unorthodoxy threatens more than the life of a mere individual; it strikes at Society itself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/unorthodoxy-threatens-more-than-the-life-of-a-mere-individual-it/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Man has an almost infinite capacity for taking things and people for granted and thereby missing out on the pleasure of being grateful that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/man-has-an-almost-infinite-capacity-for-taking-things-and-people-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [My fate cannot be mastered; it can only be collaborated with and thereby, to some extent, directed. Nor am I the captain of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/my-fate-cannot-be-mastered-it-can-only-be-collaborated-with-and/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Impulse arrested spills over, and the flood is feeling, the flood is passion, the flood is even madness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/impulse-arrested-spills-over-and-the-flood-is-feeling-the-flood-is/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Of course the Dharma-body of the Buddha was the hedge at the bottom of the garden. At the same time, and no less obviously,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/of-course-the-dharma-body-of-the-buddha-was-the-hedge-at-the-bottom/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“The question for the man of sense is: Do we or do we not want to go to hell? And his answer is: No,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/the-question-for-the-man-of-sense-is-do-we-or-do-we-not-want-to-go-to/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“I’ll MAKE you be free whether you want to or not.’ -The Savage”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/i-ll-make-you-be-free-whether-you-want-to-or-not-the-savage/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Thought of the incomprehensible sequence of changes and chances that make up a life, all the beauties and horrors and absurdities whose conjunctions create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/thought-of-the-incomprehensible-sequence-of-changes-and-chances-that/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [The third petition of the Lord's Prayer is repeated daily by millions who have not the slightest intention of letting anyone's will be done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/the-third-petition-of-the-lord-s-prayer-is-repeated-daily-by-millions/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“Then what’s time for?” asked Lenina in some astonishment. Apparently, for going on walks in the Lake District; for that was what he now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/then-what-s-time-for-asked-lenina-in-some-astonishment-apparently-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [All right then," said the Savage defiantly, "I'm claiming the right to be unhappy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/all-right-then-said-the-savage-defiantly-i-m-claiming-the-right-to-be/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Speed, it seems to me, provides the one genuinely modern pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/speed-it-seems-to-me-provides-the-one-genuinely-modern-pleasure/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“What you need is a gramme of soma.” “All the advantages of Christianity and alcohol; none of their defects.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/what-you-need-is-a-gramme-of-soma-all-the-advantages-of-christianity/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [To be enlightened is to be aware, always, of total reality in its immanent otherness - to be aware of it and yet remain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/to-be-enlightened-is-to-be-aware-always-of-total-reality-in-its/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“Quote of the day:Quote of the day: A democracy which makes or even effectively prepares for modern, scientific war must necessarily cease to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/quote-of-the-day-quote-of-the-day-a-democracy-which-makes-or-even/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) [Explore all 1,291 Aldous Huxley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) ## More Appreciation quotes > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Time can but make her beauty over again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-butler-yeats/time-can-but-make-her-beauty-over-again/) [William Butler Yeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-butler-yeats/) > [The writings of latter-day prophets clearly teach that the sorrows and sufferings endured by Adam and Eve upon their leaving the Garden of Eden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-k-judd/the-writings-of-latter-day-prophets-clearly-teach-that-the-sorrows/) Daniel K Judd > [Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/wine-is-one-of-the-most-civilized-things-in-the-world-and-one-of-the/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [A very small percentage of the people in this world will actually experience and live today. So many people will be stuck on another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/a-very-small-percentage-of-the-people-in-this-world-will-actually/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [Stop chasing the things you want and embrace all that you already have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-chasing-the-things-you-want-and-embrace-all-that-you-already-have/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Appreciation is the purest vibration that exists on the planet today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-hicks/appreciation-is-the-purest-vibration-that-exists-on-the-planet-today/) [Esther Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-hicks/) > [“My thank-yous always come out rather labored. I often don't give them at all. People do what they're supposed to do and then wait…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-flynn/my-thank-yous-always-come-out-rather-labored-i-often-don-t-give-them/) [Gillian Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-flynn/) > [“Like gratitude, authentic appreciation in the workplace is a realisation that can be nurtured and accessed with daily mindful practice. By and large, people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-dines/like-gratitude-authentic-appreciation-in-the-workplace-is-a/) [Christopher Dines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-dines/) > [Think of your mind, your emotions, and your spirit as the ultimate garden. The way to ensure a bountiful, nourishing harvest is to plant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/think-of-your-mind-your-emotions-and-your-spirit-as-the-ultimate/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [“Recognize and appreciate little things, and enjoy what Life has to offer”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-nikko-caharian-iii/recognize-and-appreciate-little-things-and-enjoy-what-life-has-to/) Cesar Nikko Caharian III > [Men, when it comes to women, value diamonds and put no stock into copper. Diamonds are rare. You can find copper anywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enhance-dreams/men-when-it-comes-to-women-value-diamonds-and-put-no-stock-into/) Enhance Dreams > [“Everything we perceive to be solid and static is made up of almost entirely empty space.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/everything-we-perceive-to-be-solid-and-static-is-made-up-of-almost/) [Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/) > [Be very slow to believe that you are wiser than all others; it is a fatal but common error. Where one has been saved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/be-very-slow-to-believe-that-you-are-wiser-than-all-others-it-is-a/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) [Browse all 2,528 Appreciation quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appreciation/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To be well informed, one must read quickly a great number of merely instructive books. 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