“The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries.”
- March 31, 1596 – February 11, 1650
- French
- Philosopher, Mathematician, Scientist, Father of Modern Philosophy
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Quote
“The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries.”
Explanation
Descartes beautifully captures the timeless value of reading in this statement. He compares the act of engaging with great books to having a conversation with history’s greatest thinkers, suggesting that reading allows one to access the wisdom, reasoning, and insights of people long gone. A well-written book becomes a living dialogue, where the reader can think alongside and learn from the most brilliant minds across ages.
This quote reflects Descartes’ broader commitment to rational inquiry and intellectual development. While he emphasized personal reasoning and doubting tradition, he also acknowledged the importance of learning from the past. The 17th century marked the rise of humanism and a renewed interest in classical texts. Descartes, though pioneering a new method, saw value in the ideas preserved in books, as they represented the distilled thoughts and tested reasoning of earlier ages.
In the modern world, this quote underscores the enduring power of literature, philosophy, and science to connect us across time. Whether reading Plato, Newton, or Darwin, we are in a sense engaging in dialogue with their minds. This idea also reinforces the importance of lifelong learning, showing that through books, we never stop conversing with the best that has been thought and said.
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