Books possess an essence of immortality. They are by far the most lasting products of human effort. Temples ans statues decay, but books survive. Time is of no account with great thoughts, which are as fresh today as when they first passed through their authors's minds, ages ago. What was then said and thought still speaks to us as vividly as ever from the printed page. The only effect of time has been to sift out the bad products; for nothing in literature can long survive but what is really good.
Samuel Smiles
书籍具有不朽的本质。它们是人类努力创造的最持久的成果。寺庙和雕像会腐朽，而书却经久长存。对于伟大的思想来说，时间是无关紧要的，多年前初次闪现于作者脑海的伟大思想，今日依然清晰如故。时间唯一的作用是淘汰低劣的作品；因为只有真正的佳作才能经世长存。