Value of Books:
Books have their own value. As we need food for the body, so we need to study for the mind. Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. The best food for the mind is the reading of books. The joy one gets from their study is both recreating and ennobling. The habit of reading shows a sign of culture.
Books contain the most precious treasure. They contain a wealth of knowledge and experience. They deal with various subjects such as science, philosophy, politics, economics, literature and so on. They are written by the intellectuals of the world. The political ideas of Plato and Aristotle stand good even today. We remember Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Kalidas for their contribution to literature. Even today, statesman, scholars, philosophers write books. We have grown in wisdom and experience by the study of these books.
Besides, books are our best companions. They are our sincere friends. They never desert us. We can study books again and again for advice and comfort. They help us forget the unpleasantness of our surroundings. They lead us into a world of comfort and contentment. They bring cheer to the weary heart. They bring solace to the grief-stricken soul.
They are our guide in youth. They are a source of entertainment in old age. They give us company in solitude. They amuse us. They give us pleasure.
We should, however, be cautious while choosing books. All types of books do not bring pleasure. There are certain books that poison our minds. They spoil our habits. They misguide us. These books are responsible for the moral and intellectual degradation of readers. We should avoid such books. We should avoid reading sensational books. They are harmful to our careers. They hamper our studies. They are the cause of our failure in the examination.
So, the reading of good books alone is a blessing. The habit of reading good books is the most interesting and rewarding occupation.
Bacon said in his famous essay ‘Of Studies’: Some books are to be tasted; others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested that is, some books are to be read in parts; others to be read but not curiously, and some few to be read with diligence and attention.
