418 Quotes About Classics

Every new book we read in our brief and busy lives means that a classic is left unread.

I’ve always found that the better the book I’m reading, the smarter I feel, or, at least, the more able I am to imagine that I might, someday, become smarter.

The best way to become acquainted with a subject is to write about it.

I have a Greek-American friend who named her daughter "Nike" and is often asked why she chose to name her offspring after a sneaker.

By reading older books we get a taste of the conversation of Heaven.

When Henry handed her a cup of punch she whispered, "If you want to go on with the seniors or anything I'll be alright."Henry smiled at her. "You're my date, Scout.

However vast any person’s basic reading may be, there still remain an enormous number of fundamental works that he has not read.

Like a girl, a baby running after her mother, begging to be picked up, and she tugs on her skirts, holding her back as she tries to hurry off—all tears, fawning up at her, till she takes her in her arms… That’s how you look, Patroclus, streaming live tears.

How it happened that Mastro Cherry, carpenter, found a piece of wood that wept and laughed like a child. Centuries ago there lived -- "A king!" my little readers will say immediately. No, children, you are mistaken. Once upon a time there was a piece of wood.