Books Quote by Isaac Asimov
““I am trying now to re-create in my mind the picture of the man as I saw him in 1939- he, the revered author of Sinister Barriers , I the novice. I think I can rely on my near-photographic memory for the purpose. (I call it "near-photographic" because I can only remember things that happen to be lying around near photographs.) Let's see, as I recall, he is six-feet seven-inches tall (when he is sitting down, that is) with a long and majestic English face. Then, too, I distinctly remember, there was a small flashing golden aura about his head, the occasional play of hissing flashes when he moved it suddenly, and the distant rumble of thunder when he spoke.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Foundation and Empire, 1952
The narrator attempts to reconstruct a vivid mental image of a revered author, noting physical details and an imagined aura, highlighting the power of memory and imagination.
In simple terms: He tries to picture a famous writer in detail, using his strong memory.
Key Takeaway
Use vivid detail to bring memories to life.
Themes
memory
imagination
description
perception
detail
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
nostalgic
Type
literary
descriptive
reflective
When to use this quote
- writing
- creative brainstorming
- historical research
- character study
Key Concepts
visualization
mental reconstruction
authorial reverence
Questions to Reflect On
- How reliable is a memory that mixes fact with imagination?
- What role does aura play in shaping our perception of others?
A Different Perspective
Memories can be distorted by personal bias and exaggeration.
![“A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. [The Second Law of Robotics]” quote by Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c4c/isaac-asimov-309_conflict_a-robot-must-obey-the-orders-given-it-by_65930.jpg)
