英语翻译
Agoodbookisoftenthebesturnofalifeenshriningthebestthatlifecouldthinkout;fortheworldofaman'slifeis,forthemostpart,buttheworldofhisthoughts.Thusthebestbooksaretreasuriesofgoodwords,thegoldenthoughts,which,
rememberedandcherished,becomeourconstantcompaionsandcomforters."Theyareneveralone,"saidSipPhilipSidney,"thatareaccompaniedbynoblethoughts."
Booksintroduceusintothebestsociety;theybringusintothepresenceofthegreatestmindsthathaveeverlived.Wehearwhattheysaidanddid;weseethemasiftheywerereallyalive;wesympathizewiththem,enjoywiththem,grievewiththem;theirexperiencebecomeours,andwefeelasifwewereinameasureactorswiththeminthesceneswhichtheydescribe.
Thegreatandgooddonotdieeveninthisworld.Embalmedinbooks,theirspiritswalkabroad.Thebookisalivingvoice.Itisanintellecttowhichonestilllistens.Henceweeverremainundertheinfluenceofthegreatmenofold.Theimperialintellectsoftheworldareasalivenowastheywereagesago.