Book Quote by Gunter Grass
“Even bad books are books and therefore sacred.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Book as Sacred Object, 1975, Gunter Grass on literature
All books, even flawed ones, hold inherent value because they are physical embodiments of thought.
In simple terms: Even bad books are valuable.
Key Takeaway
Respect every book as a cultural artifact.
Themes
value
literature
respect
culture
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- library curation
- reading habits
- academic study
- book collecting
Key Concepts
materiality
canonical status
subjective judgment
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a book sacred beyond its content?
- Should we preserve low‑quality works?
A Different Perspective
Not all readers see merit in poor writing, which can dilute the claim.
