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Book Quote by Earl Nightingale

“Some people act as if it were demeaning to their manhood to wish to be well-read but you can no more be a healthy person mentally without reading substantial books than you can be a vigorous person physically without eating solid food. Books should be chosen, not for their freedom from evil, but…” quote by Earl Nightingale
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“Some people act as if it were demeaning to their manhood to wish to be well-read but you can no more be a healthy person mentally without reading substantial books than you can be a vigorous person physically without eating solid food. Books should be chosen, not for their freedom from evil, but for their possession of good. Dr. Johnson said: "Whilst you stand deliberating which book your son shall read first, another boy has read both."”

Earl Nightingale

About This Quote

Source Speech: Unknown, attributed to Earl Nightingale

Reading is essential for mental health just as food is for physical health; choose books for their quality, not merely to avoid bad content.

In simple terms: Reading fuels mind like food fuels body.

Key Takeaway

Read good books regularly.

Themes

education health reading choice

Mood

thoughtful encouraging

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

  • personal development
  • academic study
  • self‑improvement
  • literary criticism

Key Concepts

mental health nutrition literature quality

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you evaluate a book's value?
  • What reading habits support mental resilience?
A Different Perspective

Reading alone cannot replace other life skills.

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