Who kills a man kills a reasonable creature, God's image, but thee who destroys a good book, kills reason its self.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the value of literature and knowledge, suggesting that destroying a good book is akin to killing reason itself.
John Milton's quote articulates the deep connection between humanity, reason, and literature. While taking a life is a grave act against a rational being created in God's image, the act of destroying a good book is viewed as an even greater crime because it obliterates the repository of human thought and reason. Books serve as vessels of wisdom, culture, and understanding; thus, to destroy them is to attack the very essence of human rationality and enlightenment.
In practice
During a lecture on the importance of literature, this quote can be used to highlight why books are essential to society.
They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand, the gate With dreadful faces thronged and fiery arms: Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon; The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide; They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow, Through Eden took their solitary way.
The stars, that nature hung in heaven, and filled their lamps with everlasting oil, give due light to the misled and lonely traveller.
Ev'n them who kept thy truth so pure of old, When all our fathers worshipp'd stocks and stones.
Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely: and pined his loss
The end of all learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love and imitate Him.
Apt words have power to suage the tumors of a troubled mind.
To have a vision of the cosmic plan, in which every form of life depends on directed movements which have effects beyond their conscious aim, is to understand the child's work and be able to guide it better.
We think only through the medium of words. Languages are true analytical methods. Algebra, which is adapted to its purpose in every species of expression, in the most simple, most exact, and best manner possible, is at the same time a language and an analytical method. The art of reasoning is nothing more than a language well arranged.
To educate the intelligence is to expand the horizon of its wants and desires.
There is nothing like books - of all things sold incomparably the cheapest, of all pleasure the least palling, they take up little room, keep quiet when they are not wanted, and, when taken up, bring us face to face with the choicest men who ever lived, at their choicest moments.
I loved school, maybe too much, really. I was summa cum laude in high school. I was driven that way.
Far more thought and care go into the composition of any prominent ad in a newspaper or magazine than go into the writing of their features and editorials.
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