It is a truth universally acknowledged that inherent quotability keeps a novel alive in the public consciousness. But the nature of how we read has changed, as has the notoriety to which we assign quotations. Historically, a quality literary quote contains elements of inspiration (“To thine own self be true”), advice (“It is nothing to die; it is dreadful not to live”), timelessness (“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”), or a level of deeper meaning that underscores the readers’ intelligence (“Time moves slowly, but passes quickly”). This story is from Kinfolk Issue Forty-Two Buy Now Related Stories Arts & Culture Issue 43 Paapa Essiedu The British stage star steps onto a new platform. Arts & Culture Issue 43 Amia Srinivasan Amia Srinivasan on the philosophy of sex. Arts & Culture Issue 43 David Erritzoe On the mind-bending potential of psychedelics. Arts & Culture Issue 43 Space Invaders Room dividers from a Roman studio. Arts & Culture Issue 43 Study: Tricks of the Mind The cognitive processing errors that shape us all. Arts & Culture Issue 43 Happy Medium In praise of average.
