Sunday, May 5, 2013

Winston on books......Part the First

     The most common form of diversion is reading.  In that vast and varied field millions find their mental comfort.  Nothing makes a man more reverent than a library. 'A few books,' which was Lord Morley's definition of anything under five thousand, may give a sense of comfort and even of complacency.  But a day in a library, even of modest dimensions, quickly dispels these illusory sensations.  As you browse about, taking down book after book from the shelves and contemplating the vast, infinitely varied store of knowledge and wisdom which the human race has accumulated and preserved, pride, even in its most innocent forms, is chased from the heart by feelings of awe not untinged with sadness.  As one surveys the mighty array of sages, saints, historians, scientists, poets, and philosophers whose treasures one will never be able to admire - still less enjoy - the brief tenure of our existence here dominates mind and spirit
-Winston Churchill,  Painting As A Pastime

"My Mind To Me A Kingdom Is"  Lord Morley and his beloved books


































image via

No comments:

Post a Comment