[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fILdKnrXDPCFRfmJiXJvrGJaWZ--VH7_0u--T53ZxRJY":3,"$fiMLIY9XnTgWVZ2nMd3cSgMLvppdBjeyTE_jQ98JBEws":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},102900,"John Dunton","J",1,null,"john-dunton",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":23},[14],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":22},791838,"Booksellers in the gross are taken for little better than a pack of knaves and atheists.",2,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nThis scathing remark was likely uttered by John Dunton, a 17th-century English bookseller and author, who was known for his biting wit and critiques of the literary establishment. Writing in the late 1600s, Dunton's comment reflects the tumultuous era in which he lived, marked by social upheaval, censorship, and the rise of Puritanical influences on literature. As a prominent figure in London's book trade, Dunton would have been acutely aware of the tensions between commercialism and artistic expression.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nAt first glance, this quote appears to be a straightforward attack on booksellers as unscrupulous businesspeople. However, upon closer examination, it reveals a more complex sentiment: that the label of \"knave\" or \"atheist\" is not necessarily applied because of any inherent moral failing, but rather due to the commercialization of literature and the perceived conflict between profit and artistry.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, consider how your professional pursuits may be seen as morally suspect by others. A bookseller in modern times might view Dunton's comment as a warning about being perceived as overly focused on sales rather than the quality of one's work; similarly, creatives and entrepreneurs can benefit from recognizing that their commercial endeavors may sometimes be viewed with suspicion or disdain by those who prioritize artistic integrity over profit.",{"currentPage":8,"totalPages":8,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":24},10]