Augustine Birrell Quotes

An ordinary man can surround himself with two thousand books and thenceforward have at least one place in the world in which it is always possible to be happy.

Good as it is to inherit a library, it is better to collect one.

A conventional good read is usually a bad read, a relaxing bath in what we know already. A true good read is surely an act of innovative creation in which we, the readers, become conspirators.

Libraries are not made, they grow.

Given Pounds and five years, and an ordinary man can in the ordinary course, without any undue haste or putting any pressure upon his taste, surround himself with books, all in his own language, and thence forward have at least one place in the world.

Friendship is a word, the very sight of which in print makes the heart warm.

Milton calls the university A stony-hearted step-mother.

That great dust-heap called 'history'.

The man who has a library of his own collection is able to contemplate himself objectively, and is justified in believing in his own existence.

There were no books in Eden, and there will be none in heaven