Quote by Henry David Thoreau

The heroic books, even if printed in the character of our mother tongue, will always be in a language dead to degenerate times; and we must laboriously seek the meaning of each word and line, conjecturing a larger sense than common use permits out of what wisdom and valor and generosity we have.

The heroic books, even if printed in the character of our mo

Summary

This quote suggests that books about heroism and bravery, although written in a language that we understand, can sometimes feel foreign and unfamiliar to modern times. The reader must make an effort to interpret and understand each word and line, stretching beyond the limitations of common usage and drawing upon their own wisdom, courage, and generosity to grasp the deeper meaning conveyed by these books.

Topics

Literature

By Henry David Thoreau

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