Jump off. You are a protected individual. Do not fear.
Henry MillerRead
Until it is kindled by a spirit as flamingly alive as the one which gave it birth a book is dead to us. Words divested of their magic are but dead hieroglyphs.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A book lacks vitality and significance until it is engaged with passion and spirit.
Henry Miller emphasizes that books are not merely collections of words; they become meaningful only when the reader approaches them with enthusiasm and emotional engagement. Without a lively spirit to interpret and appreciate the words, they remain inert, akin to meaningless symbols. This highlights the transformative power of passionate reading and the importance of connecting with literature on a deeper level.
Themes
BooksReadingPassionLiteratureEngagementMeaning
In practice
Example use cases
During a book club meeting, to emphasize the importance of emotional engagement with literature.
More from Henry Miller
All quotes →I saw through to the last sign and symbol, but I could not read her face. I could see only the eyes shining through, huge, fleshy-like luminous beasts, as though I were swimming behind them in the electric effluvia of her incandescent vision.
Henry MillerRead
The essential thing is to WANT to sing. This then is a song. I am singing.
Henry MillerRead
Great God! What have I turned into? What right have you people to clutter up my life, steal my time, probe my soul, suckle my thoughts, have me for your companion, confidant, and information bureau? What do you take me for? Am I an entertainer on salary, required every evening to play an intellectual farce under your stupid noses? Am I a slave, bought and paid for, to crawl on my belly in front of you idlers and lay at your feet all that I do and all that I know?
Henry MillerRead
We are swimming on the face of time and all else has drowned, is drowning, or will drown.
Henry MillerRead
To sing you must first open your mouth. You must have a pair of lungs, and a little knowledge of music. It is not necessary to have an accordion, or a guitar. The essential thing is to want to sing. This then is a song. I am singing.
Henry MillerRead
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