OT: A quote from Schopenhauer on book buying

Rosie Perera

I just came across this. Um, does it say something to us Logos bookaholics?

"Buying books would be a good thing if one could also buy the time to read them in: but as a rule the purchase of books is mistaken for the appropriation of their contents." (Arthur Schopenhauer)

Bruce Dunning

Rosie Perera said:

as a rule the purchase of books is mistaken for the appropriation of their contents.

That is something to ponder. Knowledge is important but application far more important.

Allen Browne

Rosie Perera said:

"... the purchase of books is mistaken for the appropriation of their contents."

Ouch. Sounds familiar.

David Paul

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/712548#Comment_712548

Allen Browne said:

Rosie Perera said:

"... the purchase of books is mistaken for the appropriation of their contents."

Ouch. Sounds familiar.

I'm aware of this maxim of self-delusion, also--but I also know that if I don't have the book, I will never appropriate its contents. Logos editions make for the increased likelihood that I will have an unexpected opportunity to "get what's there to be gotten".

I remember one day asking myself why I had bothered to get a particular book, then the very next day I found multiple nuggets and gems that I am sure to quote at some point. That was "the plan and rationale" playing out according to script. I don't sweat adding to my library anymore. I just try to get stuff I think could have paydirt inside.

Brad

Rosie Perera said:

I just came across this. Um, does it say something to us Logos bookaholics?

"Buying books would be a good thing if one could also buy the time to read them in: but as a rule the purchase of books is mistaken for the appropriation of their contents." (Arthur Schopenhauer)

I clicked the link to your post, Rosie, but I didn't have time to actually read it.  [:)]

Patrick Rietveld

Faithlife tells us not to bother about it: Logos resources are more than just books.

https://blog.logos.com/2015/01/why-you-need-more-books-even-if-you-think-you-dont/

Now the question is: does this really works?

David Paul

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/712857#Comment_712857

That depends. If you are someone who assiduously creates collections of your favorite stuff, perhaps not. I have never made a collection and have no plans to. It seems to me that would defeat the purpose of the larger library. I have the sense to decide if a search return is not germane. I doubt anyone on earth can determine if the thing they haven't been made aware of is exactly what they're looking for. If you cherry-pick your library and collectionize it, you are going to get what you limited yourself to getting. I find stuff in unexpected places all the time.