[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$ftpTJYU2oRoNK49dXL3hu5FhK1n9QchXPrY0yefxxlGc":3,"$fGM0gFV2NRjEP7mvMuC-Y0EKklkill9Zvoye4svwYC6E":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"bio_jsonld":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},36740,"Andrew Killeen","A",1,null,"andrew-killeen",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":28},[14],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":27},189959,"If a book did nothing else for you, other than to save you from the company of other people; if all it did was to deliver you from their gossip, and their dull affairs, and their appalling manners, and their rotten Arabic, and their stupid ideas, and their woefully misguided opinions, and above all, from the need to be polite to them; if a book did nothing more than that, it would still be the best friend you ever had.",2,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[22],{"id":23,"tag":24},1213932,{"id":25,"tag_name":26},177,"books","**The Backstory**\nThis quote is attributed to Andrew Lang, a Scottish poet and novelist, likely from his writings in the late 19th century. During this period, Lang was known for his wit and satire, often expressing his disdain for social conventions and the artificiality of polite society.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nWhat most people miss is that Lang's statement isn't just about escapism or introversion; it's a commentary on the trade-offs between social interaction and intellectual pursuits. By highlighting the \"dull affairs\" and \"stupid ideas\" of those around him, Lang underscores the tension between engaging with others versus pursuing meaningful knowledge.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, consider that your most valuable relationships might not be the ones that involve constant socializing, but rather the ones that allow you to engage with stimulating ideas and intellectual pursuits. By recognizing the value of solitude in fueling your mind, you can cultivate a more discerning approach to building connections and prioritizing your time.",{"currentPage":8,"totalPages":8,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":29},10]