“Any book which inspires us to lead a better life is a good book.”

“The Bible is different from all other books; other books are written by man, but the Bible not only contains the sayings and commandments of God, but was also written entirely under divine inspiration. So we might say that it is God's book, which he gave to man to lead him to everlasting life.”

Matta El Meskeen (1919–2006) Egyptian monk

“The Book had in a high degree excited us to self-activity, which is the best effect of any book.”

Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish philosopher, satirical writer, essayist, historian and teacher

“I often feel sorry for people who don't read good books; they are missing a chance to lead an extra life.”

Scott Corbett (1913–2006) American children's writer

“books—there is a good kind of a book and a bad kind of a book. I am not to assume that you are all ill acquainted with this; but I may remind you that it is a very important consideration at present. It casts aside altogether the idea that people have that if they are reading any book—that if an ignorant man is reading any book, he is doing rather better than nothing at all.”

Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish philosopher, satirical writer, essayist, historian and teacher

“Flowers lead to books, which lead to thinking and not thinking and then more flowers and music, music. Then many more flowers and many more books.”

Maira Kalman (1949) Israeli American artist and creator of children's books

“Books are for nothing but to inspire”

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) American philosopher, essayist, and poet

“Books. Cats. Life is Good.”

Edward Gorey (1925–2000) American writer, artist, and illustrator

“Books. Cats. Life is good.”

T.S. Eliot (1888–1965) 20th century English author

“With books, as with companions, it is of more consequence to know which to avoid, than which to choose; for good books are as scarce as good companions.”

Charles Caleb Colton (1777–1832) British priest and writer