Book Quote by David Martyn Lloyd-Jones
““In a sense one should not go to books for ideas; the business of books is to make one think. We are not gramophone records, we are to think originally. What we preach is to be the result of our own thought. We do not merely transmit ideas. The preacher is not meant to be a mere channel through which water flows; he is to be more like a well. So the function of reading is to stimulate us in general, to stimulate us to think, to think for ourselves. Take all you read and masticate it thoroughly. Do not just repeat it as you have received it; deliver it in your own way, let it emerge as a part of yourself, with your stamp upon it.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Sermon on the Purpose of Reading, 1950s
Reading should provoke original thought, not passive reception; ideas must be internalized and expressed uniquely.
In simple terms: Reading should spark personal thinking, not just repeat.
Key Takeaway
Think critically, make ideas your own.
Themes
education
critical thinking
originality
Mood
reflective
inspired
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- academic study
- personal development
- creative writing
- public speaking
Key Concepts
philosophy
interpretation
learning
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you transform what you read into your own voice?
- What habits help you internalize ideas deeply?
A Different Perspective
Ideas can be distorted when overly paraphrased; personal bias may limit true understanding.
![“But observe that [Peter] never ceases to be a bold man; he does not become nervous and diffident. No, he does not change in that way. The essential personality remains; and yet he is 'poor in spirit' at the same time.” quote by David Martyn Lloyd-Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a20/david-martyn-lloyd-jones-29466_peter_but-observe-that-peter-never-ceases-to-b_720961.jpg)
