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Books and Writing

Walter Benjamin in „Ich packe meine Bibliothek aus“

Von allen Arten sich Bücher zu verschaffen, wird als die rühmlichste betrachtet, sie selbst zu schreiben.
(Translation: Between all the ways to acquire books, writing them yourself is considered the most laudable one.)

Charles W. Eliot, “The Happy Life”, 1910, quoted after Library of Congress: Respectfully quoted

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of councellors, and the most patient of teachers.

Senator John F. Kennedy, Saturday Review, October 29th, 1960, quoted after Library of Congress: Respectfully quoted

If this nation is to be wise as well as strong, if we are to achieve our destiny, then we need more new ideas for more wise men reading more good books in more public libraries. These libraries should be open to all—except the censor. We must know all the facts and hear all the alternatives and listen to all the criticisms. Let us welcome controversial books and controversial authors. For the Bill of Rights is the guardian of our security as well as our liberty.

Wilson Mizner, quoted after Library of Congress: Respectfully quoted

If you steal from one author, it's plagiarism. If you steal from two, it's research.

Richard Guindon

Writing is just nature's way of letting you know how sloppy your thinking is.

Leslie Lamport

Mathematics is nature's way of letting you know how sloppy your writing is.

Leslie Lamport

Formal mathematics is nature’s way of letting you know how sloppy your mathematics is.