Better to keep it in the old heads, where no one can see it or suspect it. We are all bits and pieces of history and literature and international law. Byron, Tom Paine, Machiavelli, or Christ, it's here. And the hour's late. And the war's begun. And we are out here, and the city is there, all wrapped up in its own coat of a thousand colors.. All we want to do is keep the knowledge we think we will need intact and safe. We're not out to incite or anger anyone yet. For if we are destroyed, the knowledge is dead, perhaps for good.. Right now we have a horrible job; we're waiting for the war to begin and, as quickly, end. It's not pleasant, but then we're not in control, we're the odd minority crying in the wilderness. When the war's over, perhaps we can be of some use in the world. Ray Bradbury
About This Quote

The quote “better to keep it in the old heads, where no one can see it or suspect it” is an important point in this book. The idea of taking knowledge out of books and putting it into the heads of people is dangerous. There are some who will see this knowledge and think that they can use it for their own gain. The words of this quote are especially important because these are the words of a small group of people who are desperately trying to save themselves from the war that is coming at them.

These words are also important because they show that knowledge can be dangerous. They show that history does not always have to be kept alive in books, but that it can be kept alive in your mind if you keep it safe.

Source: Fahrenheit 451

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More Quotes By Ray Bradbury
  1. You're a hopeless romantic, " said Faber. "It would be funny if it were not serious. It's not books you need, it's some of the things that once were in books. The same things could be in the 'parlor families' today. <span style="margin:15px; display:block"></span>The same...

  2. Learning to let go should be learned before learning to get. Life should be touched, not strangled. You’ve got to relax, let it happen at times, and at others move forward with it.

  3. Don't ask for guarantees. And don't look to be saved in any one thing, person, machine, or library. Do your own bit of saving, and if you drown, at least die knowing you were heading for shore.

  4. Self-consciousness is the enemy of all art, be it acting, writing, painting, or living itself, which is the greatest art of all.

  5. Too late, I found you can't wait to become perfect, you got to go out and fall down and get up with everybody else.

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