Quote by George Eliot
He was a quick fellow, and when hot from play, would toss himself in a corner, and in five minutes be deep in any sort of book that he could lay his hands on: if it were Rasselas or Gulliver, so much the better, but Bailey's Dictionary would do, or the Bible with the Apocrypha in it. Something he must read, when he was not riding the pony, or running and hunting, or listening to the talk of men. All this was true of him at ten years of age; he had then read through Chrysal, or the Adventures of a Guinea, which was neither milk for babes, nor any chalky mixture meant to pass for milk, and it had already occurred to him that books were stuff, and that life was stupid.
Summary
This quote portrays the enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity of a young boy. Despite being active and enjoying outdoor activities, he has an insatiable thirst for reading and knowledge. The quote highlights his preference for engaging books like "Rasselas" and "Gulliver's Travels," but also acknowledges his willingness to delve into any book within his reach, even if it's a dictionary or the Bible with the Apocrypha. From a young age, he recognizes that reading opens up a whole new world beyond the mundane realities of everyday life, shaping his view that books are substance while life itself can be dull.
Topics
Reading Books
By George Eliot