Books Quote by Virginia Woolf
““Yet who reads to bring about an end, however desirable? Are there not some pursuits that we practise because they are good in themselves, and some pleasures that are final? And is not this among them? I have sometimes dreamt, at least, that when the Day of Judgment dawns and the great conquerors and lawyers and statesmen come to receive their rewards–their crowns, their laurels, their names carved indelibly upon imperishable marble–the Almighty will turn to Peter and will say, not without a certain envy when he sees us coming with our books under our arms, “Look, these need no reward. We have nothing to give them here. They have loved reading.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Mrs Dalloway, 1925
Reading for its own sake is a pure, self‑fulfilling joy, not a means to external reward.
In simple terms: Reading is rewarding in itself.
Key Takeaway
Value reading for intrinsic pleasure.
Themes
intrinsic value
joy of reading
self‑fulfillment
Mood
contemplative
joyful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal enrichment
- academic study
- quiet evenings
- literary clubs
Key Concepts
Aestheticism
philosophy of art
Questions to Reflect On
- What does reading give you beyond knowledge?
- How do you balance reading for pleasure and purpose?
A Different Perspective
Not everyone finds reading rewarding; some seek practical outcomes.
