Quotes by Alberto Manguel

Entering a library, I am always stuck by the way in which a certain vision of the world is imposed upon the reader through its categories and its order.

During the day, the library is a realm of order.

The weight of absence is as much a feature of any library as the constriction of order and space.

Like Petrachs, my books know infinitely more than I do, and Im grateful that they even tolerate my presence. At times I feel that I abuse the privilege.

Immaterial as water, too vast for any mortal apprehension, the Webs outstanding qualities allow us to confuse the ungraspable with the eternal.

“As readers, we are seldom interested in the fine sentiments of a lesson learnt; we seldom care about the good manners of morals. Repentance puts an end to conversation; forgiveness becomes the stuff of moralistic tracts. Revenge - bloodthirsty, justice-hungry revenge - is the very essence of romance, lying at the heart of much of the best fiction.”

“I like to imagine that, on the day after my last, my library and I will crumble together, so that even when I am no more Ill still be with my books.”