---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Too much traffic with a quotation book…"
description: "\"Too much traffic with a quotation book begets a conviction of ignorance in a sensitive reader. Not only is there a mass of quotable stuff he never quot..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d68/robertson-davies-834_begets_too-much-traffic-with-a-quotation-book-b_2937038.png"
---

#  Too much traffic with a quotation book begets a conviction…

![“Too much traffic with a quotation book begets a conviction of ignorance in a sensitive reader. Not only is there a mass of quotable stuff he never quotes, but an even vaster realm of which he has never heard.” quote by Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d68/robertson-davies-834_begets_too-much-traffic-with-a-quotation-book-b_2937038.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d68/robertson-davies-834_begets_too-much-traffic-with-a-quotation-book-b_2937038.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d68/robertson-davies-834_begets_too-much-traffic-with-a-quotation-book-b_2937038.png)

> “Too much traffic with a quotation book begets a conviction of ignorance in a sensitive reader. Not only is there a mass of quotable stuff he never quotes, but an even vaster realm of which he has never heard.”

[Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robertson-davies/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Excessive reliance on quotations can create a false sense of knowledge, while ignoring unquoted material leads to ignorance.

**In simple terms:** Overusing quotes hides true understanding.

Key Takeaway

Seek original insight, not just quotes.

Themes

knowledge literature critical thinking

Mood

analytical cautionary

Type

statement observation

When to use this quote

- academic writing
- research
- reading comprehension

Key Concepts

epistemology information overload

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance quoting and original thought?
- When does quoting become a crutch?

A Different Perspective

The statement may overgeneralize the value of quotations.

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