Does there, I wonder, exist a being who has read all, or approximately all, that the person of average culture is supposed to have read, and that not to have read is a social sin? If such a being does exist, surely he is an old, a very old man.

Summary

This quote ponders whether there exists a person who has read or is familiar with everything that is considered essential for someone of average knowledge to have read. If such a person were to exist, they would most likely be incredibly old, due to the immense amount of literary material that needs to be covered. It questions the idea of a social expectation that not having read certain works would be considered a moral failing, highlighting the vastness and impossibility of knowing it all.

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