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Book Quote by Rupert Brooke

“A book may be compared to your neighbour: if it be good it cannot last too long; if bad, you cannot get rid of it too early.” quote by Rupert Brooke
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“A book may be compared to your neighbour: if it be good it cannot last too long; if bad, you cannot get rid of it too early.”

Rupert Brooke

About This Quote

Source Poem: The Old Vicarage, 1914 (published 1915)

A good book, like a good neighbor, stays long; a bad book, like a bad neighbor, lingers too long.

In simple terms: Good books endure; bad books linger.

Key Takeaway

Choose literature that enriches and respects time.

Themes

literature friendship quality

Mood

reflective contemplative

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • reading habits
  • library curation
  • personal recommendations
  • cultural critique

Key Concepts

Aesthetic value social influence

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do we assess a book’s lasting worth?
  • When should we discard a poorly received work?
A Different Perspective

Not all long‑lasting works are valuable; longevity can mask mediocrity.

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