Is it better to read a few books or many — to read deeply or to read widely?
For those of us who like to read, this can be an important question. With hundreds of thousands of new books being published each year, we’ll never be able to keep up with everything. So how do we decide what to read?
Seneca (the Younger) has this advice to offer:
“Be careful, however, …about this reading you refer to, this reading of many different authors and books of every description. You should be extending your stay among writers whose genius is unquestionable, deriving constant nourishment from them if you wish to gain anything from your reading that will find a lasting place in your mind. To be everywhere is to be nowhere…Nothing is so useful that it can be of any service in the mere passing. A multitude of books only gets in one’s way…” –Seneca, Letter II
Grounded in the Best
For him, it was more important to stay grounded in the very best of books, than to wander around, trying to read everything. And although I see some value in staying abreast of the ideas that are coming out and being circulated today, I think his approach of staying near to the ones that have proven themselves is worth following.
Here are a few reasons why:
1. Great books provide ongoing nourishment
One of the reason books become known as great is they continue to speak to people generation after generation. And not just in the first reading. Great books, and great writers, continue to speak to us on subsequent visits. Each time we return, there is something to see, to learn, to enjoy.
By taking time to return to the great books we’ve read, we put ourselves in a position to be challenged, stretched, or inspired — which will in turn help us to continue to grow in mind and spirit.
2. Transformation isn’t instant
Seneca’s advice was that it was better to read and re-read a great book, than to spend your time on inferior ones. The reasoning was that merely passing over them wouldn’t allow the ideas to take a firm root in the mind and heart. Elsewhere in the letter, he illustrates this with the picture of a plant constantly being dug up and moved — and thus, never having a chance to put down roots.
There’s a difference between gaining knowledge and being transformed by it. Great writers can help change the way we see and experience the world. But for long lasting impact to occur, these lessons need to be internalized, to be experienced. And this process requires time.
It’s like the difference between only catching a glimpse of a stunning sunset and pulling up a seat to soak in the beauty. Or like a person who walks through a famous art museum in an hour, while another takes that much time in a single exhibit, lingering in the artistry and detail of the masterpieces on display. Both “saw” the same things. But which one was more impacted by what he saw?
In going too quickly, we lessen the chance that the ideas we’re exposed to will take root in our live, decreasing the impact they could have if we took our time. Which means if we want to gain all we can from the genius’ of the past, we’ll need to take time to soak in what they have to say.
3. It’s a less risky use of our time
By choosing to return to authors and writings that have already proven themselves, not only will we be assured that they’ll provide ongoing nourishment of the mind and the spirit, but we won’t end up wasting our precious time reading through books and finding them wanting. Spending time on books that provide little benefit also poses an opportunity cost — it’s time that we weren’t spending on things that could have provided longer lasting value.
Drink Deeply
Now, I don’t think this means we should never read newer books, but rather, as Seneca advised, that we choose to “extend” our stay among the great ones.
John Wooden once said, “Drink deeply from good books.” Seneca would agree.
Good books — great books — provide ongoing nourishment. But that nourishment comes from drinking deeply, not from simply taking a sip here and there.
Questions: What are some great books that have been helpful to you? Are there any that you need to go back and visit again?