Quote by Charles Dickens
There are a good many books, are there not, my boy? said Mr. Brownlow, observing the curiosity with which Oliver surveyed the shelves that reached from the floor to the ceiling.A great number, sir, replied Oliver; I never saw so many.You shall read them if you behave well, said the old gentleman kindly; and you will like that, better than looking at the outsides, - that is, in some cases, because there are books of which the backs and covers are by far the best parts.
Summary
In this quote from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, Mr. Brownlow is telling Oliver that if he behaves well, he will be allowed to read the books in his library. Mr. Brownlow emphasizes that the contents of the books are more important than just their outward appearance. He suggests that some books may not have attractive covers but still possess valuable and interesting content. This quote highlights the idea that true value lies beyond surface appearances, encouraging Oliver to appreciate the substance within the books rather than merely judging them based on their covers.