Friday, December 9, 2011

New acquaintances

“It is with books as with new acquaintances. At first we are highly delighted, if we find a general agreement—if we are pleasantly moved on any of the chief sides of our existence. With a closer acquaintance differences come to light; and then reasonable conduct mainly consists in not shrinking back at once, as may happen in youth, but in keeping firm hold of the things in which we agree, and being quite clear about the things in which we differ, without on that account desiring any union.”

Goethe