And enough for me that when my hand touched your shoulder, you leaned on me; and when you felt me slip away, you called my name.
Orson Scott CardRead
No book, however good, can survive a hostile reading.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A good book's value is diminished when met with negativity or bias from the reader.
This quote by Orson Scott Card emphasizes that the interpretation of a book can be severely impacted by the mindset of the reader. Even the most well-written and insightful books can be misunderstood or dismissed if they are approached with hostility or pre-existing negative biases, suggesting that open-mindedness is crucial for genuine understanding and appreciation.
Themes
ReadingInterpretationBookBiasUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about literature, one could use this quote to highlight the importance of an open mind when reading.
More from Orson Scott Card
All quotes →The world is always a democracy in times of flux, and the man with the best voice will win.
Orson Scott CardRead
Never mind that the story had turned out to be lies and foolishness—there was always folks stupid enough to say, Where there's smoke there's fire, when the saying should have been, Where there's scandalous lies there's always malicious believers and spreaders-around, regardless of evidence.
Orson Scott CardRead
The lives of all people flow through time, and, regardless of how brutal one moment may be, how filled with grief or pain or fear, time flows through all lives equally.
Orson Scott CardRead
You take a step, then another. That's the journey. But to take a step with your eyes open is not a journey at all, it's a remaking of your own mind.
Orson Scott CardRead
I've had your tears with mine, and you've had mine with yours. I think that's more intimate even than a kiss.
Orson Scott CardRead
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I'm still a bit of a reading glutton, I think, because I browse, read a bit of the back copy, flip through the book, read a bit of the text, and if it still seems fascinating, I read it. That's why my bedside table is so cluttered: I want to imbibe it all.
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People who love ideas must have a love of words. They will take a vivid interest in the clothes that words wear.
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For me, books have always been a way to feel less alone while being alone. Perhaps if I was depressed and isolated, just communicating with these authors through their sentences helped me.
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