My Favorite Book Quotes

If there’s something about reading I love is collecting little pieces of wisdom that might come in handy later in life. Maybe by the time you’re reading the book it might not resonate with you, whether the prose is too dry, the character to one dimensional or the struggles of the overall plot a little too meh. Yet there might be some quotes or lessons from these books that might not have cut deep in the moment, but still leave a very real impression on you later on. These are my absolute ten favorite. 

“The capacity to grasp and manipulate complex ideas is enough to define intellect but not enough to encompass intelligence, which involves combining intellect with judgement and care in selecting relevant explanatory factors and in establishing empirical tests of any theory that emerges. Intelligence minus judgment equals intellect. Wisdom is the rarest quality of all – the ability to combine intellect, knowledge, experience and judgment in a way to produce a coherent understanding: wisdom is the fulfillment of the ancient admonition, ‘With all you’re getting, get understanding.’ Wisdom requires self-discipline and an understanding of the realities of the world, including the limitations of one’s own experience and of reason itself. The opposite of intellect is dullness or slowness, but the opposite of wisdom is foolishness, which is fare more dangerous.” 

– Intellectuals and Society by Thomas Sowell

From the book Intellectuals and Society which is a recent read of mine, Dr. Sowell lays down the grounds of the basics understanding of intellectuals and their dangerous self-congratulatory ideas that have lead society down paths that most of us don’t even begin to comprehend. From wars, parasitic economic policy, social programs that have increases poverty not stagnate it and governmental legislature that doesn’t make any sense, he outlines the thinking behind most of these good intentions and their devastating consequences that can only be tests after the fact. Fascinating read doesn’t being to describe it. 

Why I like it? 

Not only does the quote answer a deeply rooted question I’ve had through the years: what is the difference between smart, intelligent and wise (which I’ve used interchangeably), but the quotes makes the emphasis on the importance of judgment when it comes to making decisions, not only for yourself, but especially if decisions come along side the force of power that government policy is. It’s something that makes you understand just how hard it is to give good advice to people, and why you can’t follow any advice, no matter who it comes from. It’s a quote that not only summarizes the book itself, but makes you question just how much judgment you’re putting on your ideas. 

“Putting lifestyle first is how you find a job – not a calling.”

– When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

Definitely one of the most beautiful memoirs of death I’ve read, ever. Not only is the author an amazing writer, with sweet prose and beautiful descriptions of the tough understandings on the meaning of life, but it’s also a book that makes you questions all the cliche advice on death. In all fairness, when people close to us die, we don’t really know what to do with ourselves but sprout the same old advice everyone gives “Just take it one day at the time.” 

Why I like it?

A job is something you get paid to do. A calling is something you would pay to do. See the difference? A calling is something we can’t not do. Is something that even if it costs us money, and most callings do, we would do anyways. Is something we’re born to do. It’s something that we can’t help gravitating toward and unfortunately is something very few us are lucky to be able to make money out of. Why? Because a calling is something that’s deeply personal. It’s something that’s hard to explain. It’s something, that in most instances, would be cataloged as weird. Yet it’s something we feel compelled to do. And because of that, it’s something that sadly requires a job that pays the bills so we can have our calling.

“Time will do that to memories. It twists and shapes them into whatever we want them to be. Whatever comforts us and allows us to sleep at night.” 

– Winter’s Fury by A. E. Rayne

That’s the thing about the mind; it does whatever it wants. It shapes and molds and re-creates as it pleases, doesn’t matter what how we try to train it to do as we want, it can be a cruel master. Winter’s Fury was featured in my article about female writes to check out. 

Why I like it?

If there’s one thing I know about memories is that they’re never what you remembered them to be. You’re always missing a detail or you missed a big part of it, or the sequence is wrong. Whatever it is, it’s very difficult to know, objectively, if your memory is correct. And that’s also the beautiful thing about your mind, all it does is comfort you into a place you can feel happy about yourself.

 “Changing rewards today changes incentives tomorrow.” 

– The Quest for Cosmic Justice by Thomas Sowell

As outlined in Atomic Habits book summary, the way to get a habit off the ground is to create a reward for the habit. Something that makes it worthwhile to do. Something that you can put off long enough and is rewarding enough to warrant a small sacrifice. But sadly, most of us forget that in order to create something there must be a reason, a gift at the end of the tunnel that will help us through the tough trek; otherwise it won’t get done.

Why I like it?

The Quest for Cosmic Justice is one of the few none economic oriented books by Thomas Sowell where he outlines the difficulties of creating justice for all parties involved. In the quote he tries to demonstrate that in order to create something there must a reward at the end of tunnel that justifies the sacrifice that is being made, otherwise it won’t get done. If you’re trying to get something off the ground try to remember this quote. 

“How to concentrate: choose something that requires effort but isn’t so difficult you give up quickly. Choose a concrete objective. Concentrate on a single task. Make a schedule for single tasks.” 

– IKIGAI by Hector Garcia

In an age of distraction, concentrating in a single task can be difficult. There’s just too many things that require your attention. Too many ways to get dopamine hits. Too many things to do. Yet, at the same time, we’re unhappier than ever. Why is that? 

Why I like it?

There’s one way to climb the mountain: start walking. There’s no shortcuts to success. There’s no shortcuts to happiness. There’s just one way. And this quote illustrates it perfectly. The best way to get something done is to do it. But the problem is that in this distracted world the word multitasking has become such an insignia in our online profiles we’ve complete lost the ability to get anything done. Everyone wants us to be everything and nothing at the same time. 

“The reason people thought I had everything is because I had all the things you can see. I had none of the things you can’t.” 

– Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Definitely one of my favorite audiobooks ever. It doesn’t read like a book, it reads like a band is being interviewed. They definitely casted an interesting plethora of readers to illustrate the different characters. And it’s amazing. It tells the story of this band, in the sixties, who partners with this emerging rock solo artist Daisy to form a new era kind of band. The book follows not just their journey as a musical act, but the drama that ensues when romantic feelings start being developed by the members. 

Why I like it?

In the era of social media and appearances its easy to forget that what is being shown on the internet it’s not what is being lived on the other side of the camera. We’re so obsessed on looking happy that we forget what is like to be happy. All the instagram followers, money in the banks and appearances don’t fill the whole left inside us. It only carves a deeper one. Next time you feel sad or unfulfilled remember this quote. 

 “People survive by being cautious, but they get ahead by being bold.” 

– Darker Shades of Magic by V. E. Schwab

This quote not only perfectly illustrates V. E. Schwab’s main character in her book series Darker Shades of Magic, but it illustrates the reasons why some people get ahead of others. 

Why I like it?

“There’s not comfort in your growth zone. There’s not growing in your comfort zone.” Shallon Lester, one of the most wise woman YouTubers out there. There’s no way to get ahead without a little risk. There’s no way to grow without throwing yourself at the deep end. There’s no way to know you can’t if you don’t try.