A capacity, and taste, for reading gives access to whatever has already been discovered by others.
Meaning
Lincoln praises reading as a way to learn from discoveries that other people have already made. A good reader does not have to begin every journey from zero; books can carry the lessons, ideas, mistakes, and knowledge of people who came before. But simply owning books is not enough. The real value comes from developing both the ability and the desire to read. When curiosity makes us want to learn, reading turns another person’s experience into knowledge we can use in our own life.
How to Use
- Before opening a book, decide what you want to learn. A clear question makes reading more focused and useful.
- Choose books that contain real experiences, lessons, or ideas. You can avoid some mistakes by learning what others discovered the hard way.
- Even 10–15 minutes a day can expose you to ideas beyond your immediate surroundings. Consistency matters more than reading large amounts at once.
- After reading, ask, “What can I use from this?” Turning one good idea into action makes reading more valuable than simply finishing a book.
Copy and Use This Quote
A capacity, and taste, for reading gives access to whatever has already been discovered by others.
— Abraham Lincoln
Browse Quotes By Categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “a capacity, and taste, for reading” mean?
“Capacity” means having the ability to understand what you read, while “taste” means developing an interest or enjoyment in reading. Lincoln suggests that both are valuable because skill without curiosity may not lead to lifelong learning.
What is the main message of this Abraham Lincoln quote?
The quote shows that reading gives us access to knowledge created by people before us. Instead of discovering everything through personal trial and error, we can learn from the ideas, experiences, and discoveries already recorded by others.
Why does Lincoln describe reading as giving “access” to discoveries?
A book can preserve knowledge even when its creator is not present. By reading it, we can encounter ideas that may have taken another person years to develop. Reading therefore connects us with knowledge that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to reach.
Is reading useful even if I cannot read many books?
Yes. The value of reading is not measured only by the number of books completed. One useful book, carefully understood and applied, can teach more than many books read without attention or reflection.
How can this quote change the way I read?
It encourages you to see books as stored experience rather than merely words on pages. Instead of reading only to finish a chapter, look for an idea, lesson, or discovery that can improve how you think, work, or make decisions.