Books Quote by Jorge Luis Borges
“I think of myself primarily as a reader, then also a writer, but that's more or less irrelevant. I think I'm a good reader, I'm a good reader in many languages, especially in English, since poetry came to me through the English language, initially through my father's love of Swinburn, of Tennyson, and also of Keats, Shelley and so on - not through my native tongue, not through Spanish. It came to me as a kind of spell. I didn't understand it, but I felt it.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Borges Interview, 1975, The Paris Review
Borges sees himself first as a reader, then a writer, emphasizing reading in many languages, especially English, as a magical, intuitive experience beyond rational understanding.
In simple terms: Reading is a magical, intuitive act that shapes his writing.
Key Takeaway
Embrace reading as a source of creative inspiration.
Themes
reading
language
identity
creativity
intuition
Mood
reflective
inspired
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- learning new languages
- studying poetry
- writing workshops
- cross‑cultural literary analysis
Key Concepts
multilingualism
literary influence
cultural transmission
Questions to Reflect On
- How does reading in a non‑native language affect your creative voice?
- Can intuition replace formal analysis in literary appreciation?
A Different Perspective
Reading alone may not guarantee writing skill without practice.
