Acknowledge Quote by Robert Aris Willmott
“Books, of which the principles are diseased or deformed, must be kept on the shelf of the scholar, as the man of science preserves monsters in glasses. They belong to the study of the mind's morbid anatomy, and ought to be accurately labelled. Voltaire will still be a wit, notwithstanding he is a scoffer; and we may admire the brilliant spots and eyes of the viper, if we acknowledge its venom and call it a reptile.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Unknown, possibly a 19th‑century essay collection
Books with flawed ideas should be treated as specimens for study, not for casual reading, akin to scientific specimens in a lab.
In simple terms: Treat bad books as study objects, not entertainment.
Key Takeaway
Analyze, don’t idolize faulty works.
Themes
criticism
scholarship
knowledge
discipline
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- library curation
- personal reading choices
Key Concepts
epistemology
intellectual hygiene
scientific method
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria decide a work belongs on the shelf versus the shelf?
- How does labeling flawed ideas help intellectual growth?
