Books are fatal: they are the curse of the human race. Nine-tenths of existing books are nonsense, and the clever books are the refutation of that nonsense. The greatest misfortune that ever befell man was the invention of printing.

Summary

This quote, attributed to Swedish playwright August Strindberg, expresses a rather provocative viewpoint on books and their impact on society. Strindberg suggests that books are dangerous because the majority of them are filled with nonsensical content. He argues that the clever books are mere counterarguments to this senseless literature. Finally, Strindberg concludes that the invention of printing, which enabled mass production and distribution of books, was a great misfortune for humanity. In essence, the quote alludes to the potential negative consequences of widespread access to literature, emphasizing the importance of discernment and critical thinking in the face of an overwhelming quantity of books.

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