--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we want a book to do more than what it…" description: "\"If we want a book to do more than what it does, that's a condemnation. If we want it to do more of what it does, that's an endorsement.\" — Clive James" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d7/clive-james-2750_book_if-we-want-a-book-to-do-more-than-what-i_1543897.png" --- # If we want a book to do more than what it does, that's a… ![“If we want a book to do more than what it does, that's a condemnation. If we want it to do more of what it does, that's an endorsement.” quote by Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d7/clive-james-2750_book_if-we-want-a-book-to-do-more-than-what-i_1543897.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d7/clive-james-2750_book_if-we-want-a-book-to-do-more-than-what-i_1543897.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d7/clive-james-2750_book_if-we-want-a-book-to-do-more-than-what-i_1543897.png) > “If we want a book to do more than what it does, that's a condemnation. If we want it to do more of what it does, that's an endorsement.” [Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A book’s value is judged by whether it exceeds or fulfills its intended purpose. **In simple terms:** A book is good if it meets or surpasses its aim. Key Takeaway Assess a work against its purpose. Themes literature criticism expectation Mood analytical contemplative Type critical literary When to use this quote - book clubs - literary criticism - publishing decisions Key Concepts aesthetics reader response Questions to Reflect On - Do you judge a book by its intent or its impact? - How do personal expectations shape literary appraisal? A Different Perspective Readers may have differing expectations of a book’s role. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Condemnation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/condemnation/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [I have the endorsement of the Sierra Club, and I'm very proud of that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-hassan/i-have-the-endorsement-of-the-sierra-club-and-i-m-very-proud-of-that/) [Maggie Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-hassan/) > [On some level any appearance on Television can be seen as a product endorsement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-maron/on-some-level-any-appearance-on-television-can-be-seen-as-a-product/) [Marc Maron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-maron/) > [I just got the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police.We have endorsements from, I think, almost every police group, very - I mean,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-just-got-the-endorsement-of-the-fraternal-order-of-police-we-have/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [ I don't know if Hillary \[Clinton\] was saying it in a sarcastic manner, but I'm very proud to have the endorsement of the NRA. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-don-t-know-if-hillary-clinton-was-saying-it-in-a-sarcastic-manner/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [ \[ William Ayers\] is an example of what I'm talking about. This is a guy who lives in my neighborhood, who's a professor of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/william-ayers-is-an-example-of-what-i-m-talking-about-this-is-a-guy/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ The \[Sarah \]Palin endorsement as sort of vouching for Donald Trump is all about. She is the sort of tribune of not conservatism as… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hayes/the-sarah-palin-endorsement-as-sort-of-vouching-for-donald-trump-is/) [Chris Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hayes/) > [I know that's an endorsement I've been waiting for," Skye added. "Perfectly adequate in bed. They should make that into a T-shirt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-mallery/i-know-that-s-an-endorsement-i-ve-been-waiting-for-skye-added/) [Susan Mallery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-mallery/) > [ I think that \[Chris\] Christie's endorsement is, you know, it's a sign that - you know, he is who we thought he was in… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-domenech/i-think-that-chris-christie-s-endorsement-is-you-know-it-s-a-sign/) [Ben Domenech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-domenech/) > [If I were John Bolton, I'd take great consolation in the words of my principal supporter on the committee, who gave a ringing endorsement,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/if-i-were-john-bolton-i-d-take-great-consolation-in-the-words-of-my/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Having that kind of endorsement and having Paul Graham's readership coming to your site and contributing to it and building the foundation of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-ohanian/having-that-kind-of-endorsement-and-having-paul-graham-s-readership/) [Alexis Ohanian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-ohanian/) > [The endorsement process is an evolution. What you try to do is you endorse someone that you believe in and their ideas and their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-cain/the-endorsement-process-is-an-evolution-what-you-try-to-do-is-you/) [Herman Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-cain/) > [ The endorsement was a really gracious statement. I am greatly honored by the endorsement of Senator \[Ted\] Cruz. We have fought the battle and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/the-endorsement-was-a-really-gracious-statement-i-am-greatly-honored/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I'll continue to work to ensure that safety and I am honored to have earned the endorsement of the men and women who provide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-autry/i-ll-continue-to-work-to-ensure-that-safety-and-i-am-honored-to-have/) [Alan Autry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-autry/) > [At one level, an award is an endorsement, a confirmation, but I always find myself looking askance at awards and good reviews, as though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-disher/at-one-level-an-award-is-an-endorsement-a-confirmation-but-i-always/) [Garry Disher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-disher/) > [The one endorsement that makes the most difference is from the constituents in the district.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandy-adams/the-one-endorsement-that-makes-the-most-difference-is-from-the/) [Sandy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandy-adams/) ## More by Clive James > [Arnold Schwarzenegger looks like a brown condom full of walnuts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-james/arnold-schwarzenegger-looks-like-a-brown-condom-full-of-walnuts/) [Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) > [My wife spoke perfect Italian and she was very beautiful and very suave Italian men were crowding around her, talking all the time and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-james/my-wife-spoke-perfect-italian-and-she-was-very-beautiful-and-very/) [Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) > [The streets, at least in this part of town, seemed impossibly clean in comparison to London. The public telephones were unvandalised. For a London…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-james/the-streets-at-least-in-this-part-of-town-seemed-impossibly-clean-in/) [Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) > [In London there was no home cooking worthy of the name. When you were in funds you ate out. But only the people whose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-james/in-london-there-was-no-home-cooking-worthy-of-the-name-when-you-were/) [Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) > [Generally it is our failures that civilize us. Triumph confirms us in our habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-james/generally-it-is-our-failures-that-civilize-us-triumph-confirms-us-in/) [Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) > [I try to be specific. One thought at a time. Clear. Articulate. And above all, memorable, if you can be. You'd like to write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-james/i-try-to-be-specific-one-thought-at-a-time-clear-articulate-and-above/) [Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) > [Pound had argued - and Eliot had helped him prove - that a poem could be sustained by memorable moments. Olson proved that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-james/pound-had-argued-and-eliot-had-helped-him-prove-that-a-poem-could-be/) [Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) > [A luxury liner is really just a bad play surrounded by water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-james/a-luxury-liner-is-really-just-a-bad-play-surrounded-by-water/) [Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) > [One way or another, all the poets of the thirties and forties reacted to Auden, either by rejecting him or trying to absorb him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-james/one-way-or-another-all-the-poets-of-the-thirties-and-forties-reacted/) [Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) > [Little books are the things to write at my age, I've decided. Avoid the big ones, go for the little ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-james/little-books-are-the-things-to-write-at-my-age-i-ve-decided-avoid-the/) [Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) > [“Too many of my friends are dead, and others wrecked By various diseases of the intellect Or failing body. How am I still upright?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-james/too-many-of-my-friends-are-dead-and-others-wrecked-by-various/) [clive james](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) > [A sceptic finds Dallas absurd. A cynic thinks the public doesn't](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-james/a-sceptic-finds-dallas-absurd-a-cynic-thinks-the-public-doesn-t/) [Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) > [The Canadian version of Julius Caesar's memoirs? I came, I saw, I coped.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-james/the-canadian-version-of-julius-caesar-s-memoirs-i-came-i-saw-i-coped/) [Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) > [“Rilke used to say that no poet would mind going to gaol, since he would at least have time to explore the treasure house…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-james/rilke-used-to-say-that-no-poet-would-mind-going-to-gaol-since-he/) [Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) > [The thing about making a documentary in Las Vegas is there isn't much to film apart from other people making documentaries about Las Vegas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-james/the-thing-about-making-a-documentary-in-las-vegas-is-there-isn-t-much/) [Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) [Explore all 151 Clive James quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) ## More Book 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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [I don't think I have made as much of my life as I should have. I should have written more books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr/i-don-t-think-i-have-made-as-much-of-my-life-as-i-should-have-i/) [Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr/) > [Some books are not read in the right way because they have skipped a stage of opinion, assume a crystallization of information in society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/some-books-are-not-read-in-the-right-way-because-they-have-skipped-a/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [“People talk about books that write themselves, and it's a lie. Books don't write themselves. It takes thought and research and a backache and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/people-talk-about-books-that-write-themselves-and-it-s-a-lie-books/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [There are great books in this world and great worlds in books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-bronte/there-are-great-books-in-this-world-and-great-worlds-in-books/) [Anne Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-bronte/) > [The purpose of this book is to supply, in the form suitable for laymen, guidance in the adoption and execution of an investment policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-graham/the-purpose-of-this-book-is-to-supply-in-the-form-suitable-for-laymen/) [Benjamin Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-graham/) > [But I think that of all the literature that I studied, the book that did more than any other to fire my enthusiasm was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kwame-nkrumah/but-i-think-that-of-all-the-literature-that-i-studied-the-book-that/) [Kwame Nkrumah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kwame-nkrumah/) > [It's amazing to see things that are suggested in the book fully developed and so brilliantly realized through the artistry of the designers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/it-s-amazing-to-see-things-that-are-suggested-in-the-book-fully/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“But I’ve developed a great reputation for wisdom by ordering more books than I ever had time to read, and reading more books, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/but-i-ve-developed-a-great-reputation-for-wisdom-by-ordering-more/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) [Browse all 29,378 Book quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If we want a book to do more than what it does, that's a condemnation. 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