--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Books you have read share a deep…" description: "\"“Books you have read share a deep ontological similarity with books you haven't: both can be profoundly fuzzy. At times books you haven't read shine mo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/618/john-durham-peters-66802_book_books-you-have-read-share-a-deep-ontolog_1518064.jpg" --- # Books you have read share a deep ontological similarity… ![“Books you have read share a deep ontological similarity with books you haven't: both can be profoundly fuzzy. At times books you haven't read shine more brightly than those you have, and often reading part of a book will shape your mind more decisively than reading all of it; there is no inherent…” quote by john durham peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/618/john-durham-peters-66802_book_books-you-have-read-share-a-deep-ontolog_1518064.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/618/john-durham-peters-66802_book_books-you-have-read-share-a-deep-ontolog_1518064.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/618/john-durham-peters-66802_book_books-you-have-read-share-a-deep-ontolog_1518064.jpg) > ““Books you have read share a deep ontological similarity with books you haven't: both can be profoundly fuzzy. At times books you haven't read shine more brightly than those you have, and often reading part of a book will shape your mind more decisively than reading all of it; there is no inherent epistemic superiority to having read a book or not having read it.”” [john durham peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-durham-peters/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reading both known and unknown books can shape thought more than the quantity read, highlighting the value of selective engagement over sheer volume. **In simple terms:** Both read and unread books influence us, often more the latter. Key Takeaway Prioritize depth over breadth. Themes knowledge reading epistemology Mood curious reflective Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - academic research - personal development - literary criticism Key Concepts ontological similarity fuzziness cognitive shaping Questions to Reflect On - How do you decide which books to read fully? - What makes an unread book seem more compelling? A Different Perspective Reading a book partially can be more transformative than finishing many. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Book Having](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book-having-716965/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Books Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books-read/) [Epistemic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/epistemic-1284926/) [Epistemic Superiority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/epistemic-superiority-5184952/) [Having Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/having-read-235181/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Libraries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/libraries/) [Read A Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/read-a-book/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [I argue that experiments have no special ability to produce more credible knowledge than other methods, and that actual experiments are frequently subject to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angus-deaton/i-argue-that-experiments-have-no-special-ability-to-produce-more/) [Angus Deaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angus-deaton/) > [Suppose we wonder whether we should trust the deliverances of our basic epistemic competences. 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