"The true university in our days is a collection
books" said Carlyle— the great English thinker and essayist of the 19th
century. It means that any man, even without passing through the gates of a
university, might earn a thorough education by reading widely in a good
library. Some of the finest and most cultured persons, like John Keats, Robert
Browning, Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi — educated themselves in this
way.
But there are so many books published, in these days ; not
all of them are good ; some are positively harmful and not readable. The
problem for the reader is how to choose what to read and what not to read. The
young reader is at sea to choose the right books. There must be some rules and
some able persons to guide, some men to advise them.
It is best, in the first instance, to read only the classics
of literature. By classics we mean those books which have become recognized for
their excellence and stood the test of times as also received the stamp of
approval of readers in all ages. Suppose one wants to read a novel ; it is best
to begin with the works of well-known and established writers, — with Scott and
Dickens, with Victor Hugo (France) 'Her Miserables', `Donquixote' (Cervanttes),
with Bankimchandra's Anandamath, or Rabindranath's Gora, with Tolstoy's Anna
Kernina or Sarat Chandra's `Srikanta'. By reading the classic, — the best books
of the best authors — one's taste will be formed ; one's judgement will be
trained ; one will develop and cultivate the habit of being satisfied only with
the best of everything.
Regarding classics, however, a warning is necessary. A blind
and uncritical adoration is unwanted. Such an attitude prevents proper exercise
of one's own judgement. If people had gone by the dictum 'never read any but
famed books', many worthy writings' of today would have remained neglected.
Pornographies or other printed nonsense should be avoided by young readers. One
of the objects of studying the Ancients is to be able to appreciate whatever is
good. The study of classics certainly improves taste and judgement. Once this
is achieved, the reader can be left to himself.
Modern books are not to be neglected or looked down upon.
Modern poetry or novels should, however, be read only after one's taste has
been enlightened by reading the classics. But books on general topics for
getting knowledge and information we must go through always. It is useful to
consult reviews of books published in respectable journals. For the beginner,
to light upon whatever comes to his hand is not good. Of course, reading of a
particular book may be dictated by some urgent need. In these days, it is
necessary to know something of everything and everything of something. Books on
history, on politics, on popular science and information — these should always
be widely read. With regard to these, it is wise to consult one who knows, — a
teacher or a well-read librarian. Attempt should always be made to get the best
available books on the subject. For art is long and time is short. One should
show some preference for books dealing with the peoples and problems of one's
own country. How little do the Hindu and the Muslim know of each other's
cultural heritage ; or the North and the South Indian know of each other's
historical background. It is good to read books on these and acquired respect
and tolerance for each other's views and attitudes.
It has to be remembered that the choice of books is often
dictated by the needs of one's vocation. Every one must, if there is any desire
for self-improvement, read books that convey the latest information on the
subject. The man who has stopped reading as he begins to earn is the man who
regards the entrance door to the room of the library as the library
itself.
The world of books has its highways and by-lanes. The highways
are known to all, and guidance is easy. But the by-ways in the book-world are
fully as interesting and can yield much pleasure. The reader then is himself a
lover of books and an expert in the world of books. For a man of culture, no
pleasure can be greater.
Books have been divided into great books and good books.
Great books are, of course, the classics that have received the stamp of
profitable satisfaction of readers down the ages. But good books are those
volumes which elevate the mind, stimulate our morals and entertain our vacant
hours — as our best companions.
As in other matters, so also in the field of books — what is
good for one man may not be so for another man. A person's reading is
determined as much by his education and culture as by the circumstances of his
life. Thus no reading could be compulsorily prescribed for all manner of men
surrounded by books as the student is. He is more likely to be attracted to
those books which are exciting and pander to low tastes and levity. On the
other hand, out in the wide world, one's interest grows ; tastes are more specialized
; and books are picked up for a variety of reasons, not always connected with
one's vocation.
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