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Bores Quote by James Russell Lowell

“It is curious how tyrannical the habit of reading is, and what shifts we make to escape thinking. There is no bore we dread being left alone with so much as our own minds.” quote by James Russell Lowell
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“It is curious how tyrannical the habit of reading is, and what shifts we make to escape thinking. There is no bore we dread being left alone with so much as our own minds.”

James Russell Lowell

About This Quote

Source Poem: "The Habit of Reading", 1850

Reading can become a controlling habit, and confronting one's own thoughts can be unsettling, yet it offers a path to escape mental stagnation.

In simple terms: Reading can dominate; confronting thoughts is unsettling.

Key Takeaway

Balance reading with introspection.

Themes

habit mind self-awareness

Mood

thoughtful introspective

Type

philosophical psychological

When to use this quote

  • personal growth
  • mental health
  • creative work

Key Concepts

reading addiction mental freedom solitude

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you recognize when a habit becomes oppressive?
  • What practices help you engage thoughts constructively?
A Different Perspective

The habit may be hard to break without support.

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