The Duty of Owning Books (1859)
Context: Men are not accustomed to buy books unless they want them. If, on visiting the dwelling of a man of slender means, I find the reason why he has cheap carpets and very plain furniture to be that he may purchase books, he rises at once in my esteem. Books are not made for furniture but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house.
“buying books would be a good thing if we also could buy the time to read them.”
Vol. 2, Ch. 23, § 296a
Parerga and Paralipomena (1851), Counsels and Maxims
Source: Counsels and Maxims (The Essays of Arthur Schopenhauer)
“Don't you ever mind," she asked suddenly, "not being rich enough to buy all the books you want?”
Source: The House of Mirth
“For every book you buy, you should buy the time to read it.”
“I wish it were as easy to buy time as it is to buy good books.”
“Grown men should not be having sex with prostitutes unless they are married to them.”
Crossfire (17 May 1997)
Political, Moral, and Miscellaneous Reflections (1750), Moral Thoughts and Reflections
