--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sir,’ said Stephen, ‘I read novels with…" description: "\"Sir,’ said Stephen, ‘I read novels with the utmost pertinacity. I look upon them--I look upon good novels--as a very valuable part of literature, conve..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1cf/patrick-o-brian-2283_books_sir-said-stephen-i-read-novels-with-the_1206787.jpg" --- # Sir,’ said Stephen, ‘I read novels with the utmost… ![“Sir,’ said Stephen, ‘I read novels with the utmost pertinacity. I look upon them--I look upon good novels--as a very valuable part of literature, conveying more exact and finely-distinguished knowledge of the human heart and mind than almost any other, with greater breadth and depth and fewer…” quote by Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1cf/patrick-o-brian-2283_books_sir-said-stephen-i-read-novels-with-the_1206787.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1cf/patrick-o-brian-2283_books_sir-said-stephen-i-read-novels-with-the_1206787.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1cf/patrick-o-brian-2283_books_sir-said-stephen-i-read-novels-with-the_1206787.jpg) > “Sir,’ said Stephen, ‘I read novels with the utmost pertinacity. I look upon them--I look upon good novels--as a very valuable part of literature, conveying more exact and finely-distinguished knowledge of the human heart and mind than almost any other, with greater breadth and depth and fewer constraints.” [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reading novels deeply enriches understanding of human emotions and intellect, offering broader insight than many other sources. **In simple terms:** Novels provide profound insight into the human condition. Key Takeaway Read literature to expand empathy and knowledge. Themes literature human nature education empathy intellectual growth Mood reflective inspirational Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - book clubs - academic courses - personal study - creative writing workshops Key Concepts novel analysis psychology philosophy cognitive development Questions to Reflect On - How does personal experience shape novel interpretation? - What role does fiction play in moral development? A Different Perspective Interpretation varies; not all readers gain equal insight. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Depth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depth/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Heart and mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart-and-mind/) [Human heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-heart/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Literature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literature/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [“I read novels with the utmost pertinaity. I look upon them - I look upon good novels - as a very valuable part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/i-read-novels-with-the-utmost-pertinaity-i-look-upon-them-i-look-upon/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [Some people claim that it is okay to read trashy novels because sometimes you can find something valuable in them. You can also find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/some-people-claim-that-it-is-okay-to-read-trashy-novels-because/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [Why there you are, Stephen,' cried Jack. 'You are come home, I find.' That is true,' said Stephen with an affectionate look: he prized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/why-there-you-are-stephen-cried-jack-you-are-come-home-i-find-that-is/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [“You are a reasonably civil, complaisant creature on dry land,' said Stephen, 'but the moment you are afloat you become pragmatical and absolute, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/you-are-a-reasonably-civil-complaisant-creature-on-dry-land-said/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [“What do you say to taking up our game where we left off? I was winning, you will recall.' Winning, for all love: how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/what-do-you-say-to-taking-up-our-game-where-we-left-off-i-was-winning/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [“They were looking after themselves, living with rigid economy; and there was no greater proof of their friendship than the way their harmony withstood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/they-were-looking-after-themselves-living-with-rigid-economy-and/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [Whereas there are lots of good novels out there; there are a few good movies out there. People have been writing great poems for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/whereas-there-are-lots-of-good-novels-out-there-there-are-a-few-good/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [It's with bad sentiments that one makes good novels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/it-s-with-bad-sentiments-that-one-makes-good-novels/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [“But I suspect the reported number of good novels this year is a result of 9/11 and all the other alarums of recent years.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-barry/but-i-suspect-the-reported-number-of-good-novels-this-year-is-a/) [Sebastian Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-barry/) > [Good novels are not written by orthodoxy-sniffers, nor by people who are conscience-stricken about their own orthodoxy. Good novels are written by people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/good-novels-are-not-written-by-orthodoxy-sniffers-nor-by-people-who/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [Good novels are not written, they are rewritten. Great novels are diamonds mined from layered rewrites.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piers-paul-read/good-novels-are-not-written-they-are-rewritten-great-novels-are/) Piers Paul Read > [Eat good dinners and drink good wine; read good novels if you have the leisure and see good plays; fall in love, if there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/eat-good-dinners-and-drink-good-wine-read-good-novels-if-you-have-the/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [Good novels are not written, they're rewritten!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/good-novels-are-not-written-they-re-rewritten/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [Good novels are produced by people who voluntarily isolate themselves and go deep, and report from the depths on what they find.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-franzen/good-novels-are-produced-by-people-who-voluntarily-isolate-themselves/) [Jonathan Franzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-franzen/) > [Novels are political not because writers carry party cards -- some do, I do not -- but because good fiction is about identifying with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orhan-pamuk/novels-are-political-not-because-writers-carry-party-cards-some-do-i/) [Orhan Pamuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orhan-pamuk/) ## More by Patrick O'Brian > [“Christ's blood in heaven, you ignorant, incompetent whey-faced nestlecock, do you think I am a hired spy, an informer? That I have a master,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/christ-s-blood-in-heaven-you-ignorant-incompetent-whey-faced/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [“To tell the truth, sir, I believe I had rather sit in the shelter for a while. The cabbage seems to have turned my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/to-tell-the-truth-sir-i-believe-i-had-rather-sit-in-the-shelter-for-a/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [“Never mind the disappointment. Salt water will wash it away. You will be amazed how unimportant it will seem in a week’s time –…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/never-mind-the-disappointment-salt-water-will-wash-it-away-you-will/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [“The weather had freshened almost to coldness, for the wind was coming more easterly, from the chilly currents between Tristan and the Cape; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/the-weather-had-freshened-almost-to-coldness-for-the-wind-was-coming/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [“Of course I do know it is the French who are so wicked; but there are all these people who keep coming and going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/of-course-i-do-know-it-is-the-french-who-are-so-wicked-but-there-are/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [My wife and I have spent most of our lives in France, and we are both pretty well bilingual, my wife more purely than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/my-wife-and-i-have-spent-most-of-our-lives-in-france-and-we-are-both/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [“This short watch that is about to come, or rather these two short watches--why are they called dog watches? Where, heu, heu, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/this-short-watch-that-is-about-to-come-or-rather-these-two-short/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [The function of the novel is the exploration of the human condition. Really, that's what it's all about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/the-function-of-the-novel-is-the-exploration-of-the-human-condition/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [It is a great while since I felt the grind of bone under my saw,' he added, smiling with anticipation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/it-is-a-great-while-since-i-felt-the-grind-of-bone-under-my-saw-he/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [Other people's marriages are a perpetual source of amazement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/other-people-s-marriages-are-a-perpetual-source-of-amazement/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [“But I will tell you another misery that is not to be denied. In the common, natural course of events physicians, surgeons and apothecaries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/but-i-will-tell-you-another-misery-that-is-not-to-be-denied-in-the/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [“Yet,'said Maturin, pursuing his own thought, 'there is a quality in dogs, I must confess, rarely to be seen elsewhere and that is affection:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/yet-said-maturin-pursuing-his-own-thought-there-is-a-quality-in-dogs/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [“Physically he was tired and his body relaxed throughout its entire length; his mind was in much the same state, floating free, detached, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/physically-he-was-tired-and-his-body-relaxed-throughout-its-entire/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [“It was quite unlike their friendly discourse of some days before, and presently Stephen grew sadly bored: lies or half-lies, he reflected, had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/it-was-quite-unlike-their-friendly-discourse-of-some-days-before-and/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [“it would be the Devil to pay and no pitch hot”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/it-would-be-the-devil-to-pay-and-no-pitch-hot/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) [Explore all 167 Patrick O'Brian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) ## More Books quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/) Christopher K. Krebs > [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [“Be careful about reading health books. Some fine day you'll die of a misprint.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-herz/be-careful-about-reading-health-books-some-fine-day-you-ll-die-of-a/) Markus Herz > [But editors are still the world's readers. And thus the eyes of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/but-editors-are-still-the-world-s-readers-and-thus-the-eyes-of-the/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) [Browse all 59,485 Books quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Sir,’ said Stephen, ‘I read novels with the utmost pertinacity. 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