Books Quote by W.H. Auden
““For a desert island, one would choose a good dictionary rather than the greatest literary masterpiece imaginable, for, in relation to its readers, a dictionary is absolutely passive and may legitimately be read in an infinite number of ways.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Enormous Radio” (1938) or similar commentary on literature
A dictionary offers practical utility on a desert island, whereas a literary masterpiece provides limited practical value
In simple terms: Practical tools outweigh artistic works in survival
Key Takeaway
Choose utility over art when resources are scarce
Themes
survival
practicality
literature
value
Mood
pragmatic
reflective
Type
philosophical
practical
When to use this quote
- emergency shelter
- food gathering
- navigation
- communication
- mental health
Key Concepts
utility
contextual relevance
resource allocation
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you prioritize for mental comfort versus physical survival?
- Can art ever become a tool in extreme conditions?
A Different Perspective
A literary work can still inspire morale even if not directly useful
![“Cassio is a ladies’ man, that is to say, a man who feels most at home in feminine company where his looks and good manners make him popular, but is ill at ease in the company of his own sex because he is unsure of his own masculinity. […] Cassio is a ladies’ man, not a seducer. With women of his…” quote by W.H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cb5/w-h-auden-2-7412_business_cassio-is-a-ladies-man-that-is-to-say-a_87978.jpg)
![“After Portia has trapped Shylock through his own insistence upon the letter of the law of Contract, she produces another law by which any alien who conspires against the life of a Venetian citizen forfeits his goods and places his life at the Doge’s mercy. […] Shakespeare, it seems to me, was…” quote by W.H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/25c/w-h-auden-2-7412_antisemitism_after-portia-has-trapped-shylock-through_382814.jpg)
