Read everything. Read something. Read history to understand why civilizations rise and collapse. Read physics to realize the universe does not care about your opinions. Read biology to understand the miracle and fragility of your own body. Read psychology to see how often your mind deceives you. Read philosophy to ask better questions. Read economics to understand incentives. Read literature to borrow a thousand lives while living one. Read poetry when prose feels too small for your emotions.
Read people too. Read the wrinkles on your father’s face. Read the silence on your lover’s face after an argument. Read the hesitation in friend’s voice. Read the excitement in a child’s eyes.
Every book is a window.
Every person is a library.
Every day is a page.
One life is far too short to learn everything firsthand. Thus, reading is humanity’s oldest shortcut. It allows you to inherit centuries of mistakes, discoveries, wars, inventions, heartbreaks, and wisdom without paying the full price for each lesson.
As Carl Sagan wrote, “A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic.”
Read.
Because one day, your body will stop growing. Your mind never has to.
Leave a comment