Books Quote by Danilo Kiš
““Bejah zauzet čitanjem i pisanjem, kad grunu u moju sobu velik broj tih ljudi naoružanih neznanjem tupim kao batina i mržnjom oštrom poput noža. To ne bejahu moje svile od kojih im se zakrvaviše oči, no moje knjige poređane po policama; svilu smotaše pod ogrtače, a knjige pobacaše na pod i stadoše ih gaziti nogama i cepati ih na moje oči. A knjige te bejahu u kožu povezane i obeležene brojevima i bejahu napisane od učenih ljudi, i u njima bejaše, da su ih hteli čitati, hiljade razloga da me smesta ubiju i bejaše u njima, da su ih hteli čitati, leka i melema za njihovu mržnju. I rekoh im da ih ne cepaju, jer mnoge knjige nisu opasne, opasna je samo jedna; i rekoh im da ih ne cepaju, jer čitanje mnogih knjiga dovodi do mudrosti, a čitanje jedne jedine do neznanja naoružanog mahnitošću i mržnjom.””
About This Quote
The passage warns that many books are harmless, but a single dangerous one can spread ignorance and hatred, urging careful handling of knowledge.
In simple terms: One book can be dangerous.
Key Takeaway
Guard against harmful ideas while valuing diverse reading.
Themes
censorship
knowledge
danger
ignorance
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- library curation
- school curricula
- media consumption
- public policy
Key Concepts
literature
politics
education
propaganda
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria decide a book’s danger?
- How to balance free expression with protecting society?
A Different Perspective
Not all harmful ideas are obvious; context matters.
