Books Quote by Georges Bataille

“These studies are the result of my attempt to extract the essence of literature. Literature is either the essential or nothing. I believe that…

— Georges Bataille

“What good literature can do and does do—far greater than any importation of morality—is touch the human soul.”

— Karen Swallow Prior

When literature becomes deliberately indifferent to the opposition of good and evil it betrays its function and forfeits all claim to excellence.

— Simone Weil

With certain rapturous exceptions, literature is the moral life.

— Cynthia Ozick

“Though the immediate impression of rebellion may obscure the fact, the task of authentic literature is nevertheless only conceivable in terms of a desire…

— Georges Bataille

We do literature a real disservice if we reduce it to knowledge or to use, to a problem to be solved. If literature solves…

— Marjorie Garber

“The idea that reading is a moral quality has unhappily led many conscientious persons to renounce their innocuous dalliance with light literature for more…

— Edith Wharton

“Literature deals with morality but does not necessarily, does not, qua literature, help you to be more moral, either by precept or example. It…

— Eric Bentley

“A great novel heightens your senses and sensitivity to the complexities of life and of individuals, and prevents you from the self-righteousness that sees…

— Azar Nafisi

“literature is but the shadow of good talk”

— simon blackburn

It is with noble sentiments that bad literature gets written.

— Andre Gide

“Literature is, to my mind, the great teaching power of the world, the ultimate creator of all values, and it is this, not only…

— William Butler Yeats