Book Quote by Stuart Dodgson Collingwood
“It always seems to me that one of the saddest things about the death of a literary man is the fact that the breaking-up of his collection of books almost invariably follows; the building up of a good library, the work of a lifetime, has been so much labour lost, so far as future generations are concerned. Talent, yes, and genius too, are displayed not only in writing books but also in buying them, and it is a pity that the ruthless hammer of the auctioneer should render so much energy and skill fruitless.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Death of a Literary Man, 1905
The loss of a writer’s personal library after death represents a waste of lifelong labor and cultural heritage, as books are both creations and collections.
In simple terms: A writer’s library is a lost treasure when destroyed.
Key Takeaway
Preserve and share literary collections.
Themes
loss
heritage
books
culture
Mood
sad
reflective
concerned
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- library donation
- archival projects
- estate planning
- public exhibitions
- digitalization
Key Concepts
cultural preservation
literary value
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies better safeguard private literary collections?
- What responsibilities do heirs have toward cultural assets?
A Different Perspective
Not all collections are accessible or valued equally; some may be private and unshared.
