“Don't men read books and take from them what is already in their own hearts?”

“For me, I would rather read a good book, from a contented author. I don't really care what it takes to produce that.”

“[D]on't ever apologise to an author for buying something in paperback, or taking it out from a library (that's what they're there for. Use your library). Don't apologise to this author for buying books second hand, or getting them from bookcrossing or borrowing a friend's copy. What's important to me is that people read the books and enjoy them, and that, at some point in there, the book was bought by someone. And that people who like things, tell other people. The most important thing is that people read...”

“Take what interests and knowledge you can from books, but do not let them replace words and thoughts of your own.”

“What's the point of a houseful of books you've already read?”

“Whatever he learned from me, I learned well from Leonardo that teaching is a matter of drawing out from men what is already in their hearts, and that men learn only what they want to.”