Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Books are the best type of influence of the past...Each age, it is found, must write its own books; or rather, each generation for the next succeeding. The books of an older period will not fit this.
Summary
This quote suggests that books are the most effective medium for understanding and learning from the past. It emphasizes that every era must produce its own literature truly reflecting its experiences and ideals because the works of earlier generations may not be relevant or applicable to future ones. The quote implies that books hold the power to shape and influence the perceptions and knowledge of each generation, allowing them to learn from history while adapting to their own unique circumstances.