--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Great speed in reading is a dubious…" description: "\"“Great speed in reading is a dubious achievement; it is of value only if what you have to read is not worth reading. A better formula is this: Every bo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3db/mortimer-j-adler-10958_books_great-speed-in-reading-is-a-dubious-achi_341855.jpg" --- # Great speed in reading is a dubious achievement; it is of… ![“Great speed in reading is a dubious achievement; it is of value only if what you have to read is not worth reading. A better formula is this: Every book should be read no more slowly than it deserves, and no more quickly than you can read it with satisfaction and comprehension.” quote by Mortimer J. Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3db/mortimer-j-adler-10958_books_great-speed-in-reading-is-a-dubious-achi_341855.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3db/mortimer-j-adler-10958_books_great-speed-in-reading-is-a-dubious-achi_341855.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3db/mortimer-j-adler-10958_books_great-speed-in-reading-is-a-dubious-achi_341855.jpg) > ““Great speed in reading is a dubious achievement; it is of value only if what you have to read is not worth reading. A better formula is this: Every book should be read no more slowly than it deserves, and no more quickly than you can read it with satisfaction and comprehension.”” [Mortimer J. Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mortimer-j-adler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reading speed is only valuable when comprehension and enjoyment are maintained; read at a pace that matches the material’s worth. **In simple terms:** Read fast only if you understand and enjoy it. Key Takeaway Match speed to content value. Themes reading habits learning efficiency literary appreciation Mood thoughtful analytical Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - academic study - leisure reading - exam preparation - book clubs Key Concepts comprehension satisfaction reading speed value assessment Questions to Reflect On - What texts deserve slower reading? - How do you gauge reading satisfaction? A Different Perspective Speed reading can sacrifice depth and retention. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Read Slowly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/read-slowly-450787/) [Read Worth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/read-worth-1081947/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Reading Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading-better-1785907/) [Speed reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speed-reading/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [“My rule now is, never read anything that is not worth remembering.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-reuben-clark/my-rule-now-is-never-read-anything-that-is-not-worth-remembering/) [J. Reuben Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-reuben-clark/) > [“A good speed reading course should therefore teach you to read at many different speeds, not just one speed that is faster than anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mortimer-j-adler/a-good-speed-reading-course-should-therefore-teach-you-to-read-at/) [Mortimer J. Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mortimer-j-adler/) > [You need to have a reader's sympathy in order to accomplish anything. 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Grace attained like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-pullman/your-reading-will-be-even-better-then-after-a-lifetime-of-thought-and/) [Philip Pullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-pullman/) > [“I have found that reading is much better than a good sleep.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/i-have-found-that-reading-is-much-better-than-a-good-sleep/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [One should learn from a book. Books have a lot to teach us. 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