Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Why read old books?

I think C. S. Lewis goes a long way in answering this question:

"Every age has its own outlook. It is especially good at seeing certain truths and specially liable to make certain mistakes. We all, therefore, need to keep the clean sea breeze of the centuries blowing through our minds... by reading old books."

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

but cow princis the importent qustion that you have not answered is
why?

Meiska said...

You must enjoy Mr.Lewis eminsely!!! Quote, quote, Quote!That's okay though, I'm just messing with you.My room is filled with old books! Their wisdom is often greater than the words that fill the books of today, and can keep us from making some of the same mistakes. They are also nostalgic and remind us of a more 'simple'time.( I technically think it was a more complex time)Also, there is something terribly romantical about reading an old book. I can't help but think," Who read this book first, what was going on in their life,and how did it effect them?" What could that book be witness to?Who knows were it has been or what it has seen? I have a book called,"The Changed Cross: Not as I Will,-but as Thou Wilt" It is filled with poetry and bears writing that says, Philip P.& R. Toundurd 12 mo. 1816, From N.P.& A.M.F. in that old Scribbly writing. It is in very good condition, and I only paid $1.00 for it. An old book is good, but one about the things of the Lord is better!

minimum said...

blog shouldn't be as deliberate as an old book though.

life is like a journey. you take some pictures along the way. afterwards, you look at the pictures and do whatever with the them mentally... that's how i think about blogging.