---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are metered only by our own machines…"
description: "\"“We are metered only by our own machines, while the book is a clock that forgets her machanics.”\" — Amy King"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/088/amy-king-25962_books_we-are-metered-only-by-our-own-machines_3163107.jpg"
---

#  We are metered only by our own machines, while the book is…

![“We are metered only by our own machines, while the book is a clock that forgets her machanics.” quote by Amy King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/088/amy-king-25962_books_we-are-metered-only-by-our-own-machines_3163107.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/088/amy-king-25962_books_we-are-metered-only-by-our-own-machines_3163107.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/088/amy-king-25962_books_we-are-metered-only-by-our-own-machines_3163107.jpg)

> ““We are metered only by our own machines, while the book is a clock that forgets her machanics.””

[Amy King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-king/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Human limits are set by technology; books operate independently of mechanical constraints.

**In simple terms:** Our limits come from our tools, not from books.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the freedom beyond machines.

Themes

technology freedom literature

Mood

reflective inquisitive

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- creative writing
- education
- personal development
- technology critique

Key Concepts

mechanical determinism autonomy

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you let creativity outweigh technical limits?
- What role do books play in transcending technology?

A Different Perspective

Machines can also empower, not just limit.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/)

## Related quotes

> [Bitcoin can be programmed, metered, and exchanged by connected devices, enabling more efficient usage of our planet's resources and services.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-allaire/bitcoin-can-be-programmed-metered-and-exchanged-by-connected-devices/)

[Jeremy Allaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-allaire/)

> [“According to this model, human beings are, at least in one aspect, sensation-receiving machines; and although our receptory apparatus is competent to select and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cruce-stark/according-to-this-model-human-beings-are-at-least-in-one-aspect/)

Cruce Stark

> [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? The skeleton, very flexible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-murchie/can-you-imagine-any-better-example-of-divine-creative-accomplishment/)

[Guy Murchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-murchie/)

> [Computers can be taught that certain tune or certain chords changes will sound pleasant together, but I don't think it's going to reach a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonobo/computers-can-be-taught-that-certain-tune-or-certain-chords-changes/)

[Bonobo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonobo/)

> [“Alan Turing proposed the Turing Test: a computer is intelligent if you can't tell it from a human when you talk with it. No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cjs-hayward/alan-turing-proposed-the-turing-test-a-computer-is-intelligent-if-you/)

[CJS Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cjs-hayward/)

> [The popular mind often pictures gigantic flying machines speeding across the Atlantic carrying innumerable passengers in a way analogous to our modern steam ships.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-henry-pickering/the-popular-mind-often-pictures-gigantic-flying-machines-speeding/)

William Henry Pickering

> [The display is the computer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hsun-huang/the-display-is-the-computer/)

Jen-Hsun Huang

> [The corporate state is an immensely powerful machine, ordered, legalistic, rational, yet utterly out of human control, wholly and perfectly indifferent to any human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-a-reich/the-corporate-state-is-an-immensely-powerful-machine-ordered/)

[Charles A. Reich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-a-reich/)

> [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/)

[Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/)

> [“You weren't born to be a cog in the giant industrial machine. You were trained to become a cog. There's an alternative available to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/you-weren-t-born-to-be-a-cog-in-the-giant-industrial-machine-you-were/)

[Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/)

> [“Note found in the patron suggestion box: "You have SIGNS up near the computers that say BE QUIET, but people don't be quiet. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-sheridan/note-found-in-the-patron-suggestion-box-you-have-signs-up-near-the/)

[Gina Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-sheridan/)

> [Issac:"I dislike living in a world without Augustus Waters." Computer: "I don't understand-" Issac: "Me neither. Pause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/issac-i-dislike-living-in-a-world-without-augustus-waters-computer-i/)

[John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/)

> [The time that one gains cannot be accumulated in a storehouse; it is contradictory to want to save up existence, which, the fact is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/the-time-that-one-gains-cannot-be-accumulated-in-a-storehouse-it-is/)

[Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/)

> [“Probably it goes without saying, but time machine guys don't get a lot of action. Had a one night stand with something cute a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-yu/probably-it-goes-without-saying-but-time-machine-guys-don-t-get-a-lot/)

[Charles Yu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-yu/)

> [I don't understand why we're all connected wirelessly via a little machine that goes in our pocket, to everybody in the world, and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-m-chu/i-don-t-understand-why-we-re-all-connected-wirelessly-via-a-little/)

[Jon M. Chu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-m-chu/)

## More by Amy King

> [“LIFE IS NEVER OVER.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-king/life-is-never-over/)

[Amy King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-king/)

> [I do write about thinkers. And that's what I love about reading. My favorite books, the ones that made me sit there for days,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-king/i-do-write-about-thinkers-and-that-s-what-i-love-about-reading-my/)

[Amy King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-king/)

> [I like to allow young readers to keep writing in their heads after they've finished reading. Not to leave the ending too open, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-king/i-like-to-allow-young-readers-to-keep-writing-in-their-heads-after/)

[Amy King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-king/)

> [“SOME PEOPLE SIMPLY DO NOT EXIST ANYMORE. GET USED TO IT. QUESTION MARK.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-king/some-people-simply-do-not-exist-anymore-get-used-to-it-question-mark/)

[Amy King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-king/)

> [I have people say that they love how I keep them off balance as to what is real or not real about pretty much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-king/i-have-people-say-that-they-love-how-i-keep-them-off-balance-as-to/)

[Amy King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-king/)

> [“POETRY HAS A PEPTIC PRESENCE. PRESENTLY.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-king/poetry-has-a-peptic-presence-presently/)

[Amy King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-king/)

> [“There are things that are not sayable. That's why we have words.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-king/there-are-things-that-are-not-sayable-that-s-why-we-have-words/)

[Amy King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-king/)

> [“YOU SAY "POET" LIKE THAT MEANS SOMETHING.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-king/you-say-poet-like-that-means-something/)

[Amy King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-king/)

> [“OMG! I DESIGNED THIS NEW SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM! IT'S CALLED "POETRY" - YOU HAVE TO READ AMY KING'S POEMS TO GET AN INVITE ~”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-king/omg-i-designed-this-new-social-media-platform-it-s-called-poetry-you/)

[Amy King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-king/)

> [“ASK NOT IF POETRY IS DEAD, ASK HOW YOU CAN LIVE FOR POETRY.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-king/ask-not-if-poetry-is-dead-ask-how-you-can-live-for-poetry/)

[Amy King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-king/)

> [“IT'S NOT THE HONEY WHISKEY IN A FRIDAY NIGHT - IT'S THE MANIC SHOW OF POETRY TWEETS THAT TURNS ME ON.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-king/it-s-not-the-honey-whiskey-in-a-friday-night-it-s-the-manic-show-of/)

[Amy King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-king/)

> [“WORDS SHLD BE FREE. RELEASE THEM FROM THEIR SENTENCES.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-king/words-shld-be-free-release-them-from-their-sentences/)

[Amy King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-king/)

> [Some of us are taught to ask for help. Some of us don't feel comfortable asking for help. Some of us will get into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-king/some-of-us-are-taught-to-ask-for-help-some-of-us-don-t-feel/)

[Amy King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-king/)

> [“THE AMPUTATED HEART BEATS HARDER”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-king/the-amputated-heart-beats-harder/)

[Amy King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-king/)

> [“ERRORS ARE WHAT MAKE US HUMAN. PLOT TWIST: I'M A HORSE.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-king/errors-are-what-make-us-human-plot-twist-i-m-a-horse/)

[Amy King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-king/)

[Explore all 22 Amy King quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-king/)

## More Books quotes

> [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/)

[Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/)

> [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/)

[Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/)

> [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/)

[Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/)

> [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/)

[Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/)

> [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/)

[Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/)

> [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/)

[Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/)

> [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/)

[Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/)

> [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/)

Christopher K. Krebs

> [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/)

[Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/)

> [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/)

[Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/)

> [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/)

[Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/)

> [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/)

[Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/)

> [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/)

[Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/)

> [“Be careful about reading health books. Some fine day you'll die of a misprint.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-herz/be-careful-about-reading-health-books-some-fine-day-you-ll-die-of-a/)

Markus Herz

> [But editors are still the world's readers. And thus the eyes of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/but-editors-are-still-the-world-s-readers-and-thus-the-eyes-of-the/)

[Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/)

[Browse all 59,485 Books quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“We are metered only by our own machines, while the book is a clock that forgets her machanics.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Amy King"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-king/we-are-metered-only-by-our-own-machines-while-the-book-is-a-clock/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Books"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-king/we-are-metered-only-by-our-own-machines-while-the-book-is-a-clock/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/088/amy-king-25962_books_we-are-metered-only-by-our-own-machines_3163107.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/088/amy-king-25962_books_we-are-metered-only-by-our-own-machines_3163107.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/088/amy-king-25962_books_we-are-metered-only-by-our-own-machines_3163107.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“We are metered only by our own machines, while the book is a clock that forgets her machanics.” — Amy King",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Amy King",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-king/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“We are metered only by our...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-king/we-are-metered-only-by-our-own-machines-while-the-book-is-a-clock/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-king/we-are-metered-only-by-our-own-machines-while-the-book-is-a-clock/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
