The Dangers of Bad Reading
By Lord Coleridge
NEVER, under any circumstances, read a bad book; and never spend a serious hour in reading a second-rate book. No words can overstate the mischief of bad reading. A bad book will often haunt a man his whole life long. It is often remembered when much that is better is forgotten. It intrudes itself at the most solemn moment, and contaminates the best feelings and emotions. Reading trashy, second-rate books is a grievous waste of time, also. In the first place, there are a great many more first-rate books than ever you can master; and, in the second place, you cannot read an inferior book without giving up the opportunity of reading a first-rate book. Books, remember, are friends—books affect character; and you can as little neglect any other moral duty that is cast upon you.—Lord Coleridge.