History is the great dust-heap... a pageant and not a philosophy. Augustine Birrell More Quotes by Augustine Birrell More Quotes From Augustine Birrell Good as it is to inherit a library, it is better to collect one. Augustine Birrell libraryreadingbook A conventional good read is usually a bad read, a relaxing bath in what we know already. A true good read is surely an act of innovative creation in which we, the readers, become conspirators. Augustine Birrell bathsreadingbook Libraries are not made, they grow. Augustine Birrell librarianlibraryhistory Friendship is a word, the very sight of which in print makes the heart warm. Augustine Birrell sightheartfriendship Any ordinary man can...surround himself with two thousand books...and thenceforward have at least one place in the world in which it is possible to be happy. Augustine Birrell happinessmenbook It is the Mass that matters. Augustine Birrell massmatter There were no books in Eden, and there will be none in heaven Augustine Birrell edenheavenbook Great is bookishness and the charm of books. Augustine Birrell charmbook It is the Mass the matters. Augustine Birrell massworshipmatter History is a pageant and not a philosophy. Augustine Birrell pageantphilosophyhistory I am far too much in doubt about the present, far too perturbed .about the future, to be otherwise than profoundly reverential about the past. Augustine Birrell doubthistorypast That great dust-heap called 'history'. Augustine Birrell world-historydusthistory Few men can afford to be angry. Augustine Birrell angryangermen A poet's soul must contain the perfect shape of all things good, wise and just. His body must be spotless and without blemish, his life pure, his thoughts high, his studies intense. Augustine Birrell soulwiseperfect Poetry should be vital--either stirring our blood by its divine movements or snatching our breath by its divine perfection. To do both is supreme glory, to do either is enduring fame. Augustine Birrell poetryperfectionblood The true historian, therefore, seeking to compose a true picture of the thing acted, must collect facts and combine facts. Methods will differ, styles will differ. Nobody ever does anything like anybody else; but the end in view is generally the same, and the historian's end is truthful narration. Maxims he will have, if he is wise, never a one; and as for a moral, if he tell his story well, it will need none; if he tell it ill, it will deserve none. Augustine Birrell styleviewswise It can never be wrong to give pleasure. Augustine Birrell pleasuregiving There are no habits of man more alien to the doctrine of the Communist than those of the collector Augustine Birrell doctrinealiensmen The man who has a library of his own collection is able to contemplate himself objectively, and is justified in believing in his own existence. Augustine Birrell librarymenbelieve Personally, I am dead against the burning of books. Augustine Birrell burningbook
