Books and drafts mean something quite different for different thinkers. One collects in a book the lights he was able to steal and carry home swiftly out of the rays of some insight that suddenly dawned on him, while another thinker offers us nothing but shadows - images in black and grey of what had built up in his soul the day before.

Summary

This quote highlights the diverse perspectives of thinkers and the range of content found in books. It suggests that for some, books are a collection of insightful ideas hastily gathered from moments of enlightenment. On the other hand, for other thinkers, books may offer only vague representations of what had already formed within their minds. This contrast emphasizes the disparity in the depth and quality of thoughts conveyed through writing, reflecting the subjective nature of intellectual pursuits.

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