Books Quote by Ambrose Bierce
“OLD, adj. In that stage of usefulness which is not inconsistent with general inefficiency, as an _old man_. Discredited by lapse of time and offensive to the popular taste, as an _old_ book. Old books? The devil take them! Goby said. Fresh every day must be my books and bread. Nature herself approves the Goby rule And gives us every moment a fresh fool. --Harley Shum.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Devil Take Them, Harley Shum, 19th century
Old things are dismissed as useless, yet fresh perspectives are valued; the author argues for continual renewal over clinging to the past.
In simple terms: Old items are seen as useless; new ideas are prized.
Key Takeaway
Embrace new ideas, let go of outdated ones.
Themes
renewal
obsolescence
progress
tradition
Mood
nostalgic
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- literature criticism
- personal growth
- archival work
- museum curation
Key Concepts
impermanence
cultural criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide what old ideas to keep?
- When might tradition be worth preserving?
A Different Perspective
Some old works hold hidden value despite being labeled obsolete.
