--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Nothing we read can import new or foreign…" description: "\"Nothing we read can import new or foreign feelings that we don't, in one form or another, already possess.\" — Hisham Matar" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d7/hisham-matar-4118_another_nothing-we-read-can-import-new-or-foreig_2019821.png" --- # Nothing we read can import new or foreign feelings that we… ![“Nothing we read can import new or foreign feelings that we don't, in one form or another, already possess.” quote by Hisham Matar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d7/hisham-matar-4118_another_nothing-we-read-can-import-new-or-foreig_2019821.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d7/hisham-matar-4118_another_nothing-we-read-can-import-new-or-foreig_2019821.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d7/hisham-matar-4118_another_nothing-we-read-can-import-new-or-foreig_2019821.png) > “Nothing we read can import new or foreign feelings that we don't, in one form or another, already possess.” [Hisham Matar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hisham-matar/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reading only evokes feelings we already have, reshaping them rather than creating new emotions. **In simple terms:** Reading triggers existing emotions. Key Takeaway Recognize your emotional baseline before reading. Themes literature emotion self-awareness Mood introspective thoughtful Type analytical reflective When to use this quote - book clubs - therapy sessions - creative writing - personal reflection Key Concepts psychology affect theory Questions to Reflect On - What emotions do you discover in yourself while reading? - How does prior experience shape your interpretation? A Different Perspective May limit exposure to truly novel emotional experiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Another](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/another/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Feelings Don](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings-don/) [Foreign](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foreign/) [Foreign Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foreign-feelings-3652844/) [New](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new/) [New Foreign](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-foreign-3652845/) [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) [Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/read/) ## Related quotes > [You be greater than your feelings. I don't demand this of you - life does. Otherwise you'll be washed away by feelings. 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