Read with the intent to learn.
"Read to refill the wells of inspiration," was the advice of Herold Ockenga, who took a suitcase of books on his honeymoon. While further reiterating the importance of reading, he made a few points as to how and how not to read. Which I'll like to briefly share.
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Read not to contradict or confuse, nor to believe and take for granted nor to find talk and discuss but to weigh and consider. Some books are to be tested, others to be swallowed and some few to be chewed and digested.
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Read for intellectual growth. Read to acquire new information. To keep current with time and be well informed; for if a man is known by the company he keeps, so also his character is reflected in the books he reads.
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Finally, reading is the outward expression of the inner hunger and aspirations. It is a channel for the flow of ideas between one mind to another. The means via which we indulge our curiosity and our watchtower to the world.
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