“Men perpetually measured against the great works of the past must always enjoy the privilege accorded to minorities. They must suffer.”

Describing the burden imposed by comparison with literary predecessors. · Speech, The Handicaps of Letters, 1908

• Suffering
• Tradition
• Writing

“The mere fact of a man’s being fond of reading proves nothing one way or the other.”

Rejecting the assumption that reading itself automatically makes someone virtuous or wise. · Speech, The Uses of Reading, 1912

• Judgement
• Learning
• Reading

“I cannot quite agree that reading in itself is a virtuous and holy deed.”

Resisting the sentimental idea that reading is automatically beneficial. · Speech, The Uses of Reading, 1912

• Judgement
• Reading
• Wisdom