Augustine Birrell quotes

An ordinary man can surround himself with two thousand books and thenceforward have at least one place in the world in which it is possible to be happy. (Augustine Birrell)

There were no books in Eden, and there will be none in heaven.

Augustine Birrell

That great dust-heap called 'history'.

Augustine Birrell

A great library easily begets affection, which may deepen into love.

Augustine Birrell

A conventional good read is usually a bad read, a relaxing bath in what we know already. A true good read is surely an act of innovative creation in which we, the readers, become conspirators.

Augustine Birrell

Friendship is a word, the very sight of which in print makes the heart warm.

Augustine Birrell

Great is bookishness and the charm of books.

Augustine Birrell

Personally, I am dead against the burning of books.

Augustine Birrell

There are no habits of man more alien to the doctrine of the Communist than those of the collector.

Augustine Birrell

It can never be wrong to give pleasure.

Augustine Birrell

It is pleasant to be admitted into the birth-chamber of a great idea destined to be translated into action. (Augustine Birrell)

History is the great dust-heap... a pageant and not a philosophy.

Augustine Birrell

Libraries are not made, they grow.

Augustine Birrell

Given Pounds and five years, and an ordinary man can in the ordinary course, without any undue haste or putting any pressure upon his taste, surround himself with books, all in his own language, and thence forward have at least one place in the world.

Augustine Birrell

Libraries are not made; they grow. Good as it is to inherit a library, it is better to collect one.

Augustine Birrell

Oh, those scoundrelly Charity Commissioners! [...] By the side of these anthropoid apes, the genuine bookworm, the paper-eating insect, ravenous as he once was, has done comparatively little mischief.

Augustine Birrell