The true reader reads every work seriously in the sense that he reads it whole-heartedly, makes himself as receptive as he can. But for that very reason he cannot possibly read every work solemly or gravely. For he will read 'in the same spirit that the author writ.'... He will never commit the error of trying to munch whipped cream as if it were venison. C.s. Lewis
About This Quote

"The true reader reads every work seriously in the sense that he reads it whole-heartedly, makes himself as receptive as he can. But for that very reason he cannot possibly read every work solemly or gravely. For he will read 'in the same spirit that the author writ'." This quote by William Hazlitt is about the idea of reading. Hazlitt is talking about reading a book simply to enjoy it, not taking it seriously.

The problem with this mindset is that you are likely to miss something because you are not fully listening to the writer's words. It's important to take a book seriously when you are reading it because this will help you get more out of it.

Source: An Experiment In Criticism

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