The Timeless Treasure Trove of Books: Why Reading Matters
In ancient Greece, there was a famous story about King Ptolemy II, who ruled in the 3rd century BCE. He was known for his love of books and his extensive collection of manuscripts. According to the story, King Ptolemy II had a plan to create the largest library in the world, which would contain every book ever written. To achieve his goal, King Ptolemy II issued a decree that required all ships entering the port of Alexandria to surrender any books or manuscripts they carried. The books were then copied by scribes and the originals were returned to their owners. The copies were added to the library’s collection, which eventually grew to over 700,000 scrolls. The library of Alexandria became a center of scholarship and learning, attracting scholars and philosophers from all over the world. It was said to contain works by the greatest minds of the ancient world, including Aristotle, Euclid, and Archimedes.
Similarly, the Library of Baghdad, knows as the House of Wisdom, founded in the 8th century by the Abbasid Caliph Harun al-Rashid, was not only the largest library in the world at the time, but also a center of intellectual and cultural exchange. It attracted scholars and thinkers from all over the Islamic world, who came to study and share knowledge. The library was located in the House of Wisdom, which was also home to an academy of scholars and translators who worked to translate works from Greek, Persian, and Indian cultures into Arabic. It contained works on a wide range of subjects, including philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and literature, and its scholars made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics and astronomy. This led to a great flourishing of intellectual and scientific achievements in the Islamic world, which later influenced European Renaissance thinkers.
The Library of Baghdad was not only a collection of books, but also a symbol of the importance of knowledge and learning in Islamic culture. The scholars who studied and worked in the library were at the forefront of scientific and intellectual achievements, and their work continues to influence and inspire scholars today.
Both these examples serve as a reminder of the importance of reading and learning, and of the role that books and libraries can play in shaping our understanding of the world. The rulers of those times absolutely understood this.
Today, just as in ancient times, reading and learning are essential for the personal growth and development on one hand and the development of the human civilisation as a whole, on the other. Reading books offers a wealth of knowledge and insights into the human experience, and it allows us to explore new ideas and perspectives, which is very important in a globalized world divided by our personal beliefs. Through reading, we can gain a deeper understanding of the world and ourselves, and we can develop empathy and compassion for others. We can learn about different cultures, histories, and ways of life, and we can broaden our horizons and expand our worldview.
Many great people throughout history have attributed their success to their love of reading. For example, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was known for his voracious reading habit. He once said:
“My best friend is a person who will give me a book I have not read.”
Lincoln’s love of books helped him develop his critical thinking and communication skills, which were instrumental in his political career.
René Descartes famously said, “The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries.” Albert Einstein’s fascination with books helped him develop his understanding of the world, which led to his groundbreaking discoveries in physics.
But it’s not just famous people who benefit from reading books. Studies have shown that reading can stimulate a complex network of circuits and signals in the brain, which can improve your focus, memory, creativity, and critical thinking skills. Reading can also increase your ability to empathize, build your vocabulary, prevent cognitive decline, reduce stress, aid sleep, alleviate depression, and even lengthen your lifespan.
However, in today’s world of digital distractions and instant gratification, many people have lost their interest in reading. We prefer to watch videos, listen to podcasts, or scroll through short social media posts instead of engaging with the written word. This leaves the mind bereft of deeper understanding of the events around us, as most of the media above are meant to inform but not educate even with their purest intentions. This is a sad and unfortunate trend that has serious consequences for our society and humanity as a whole.
Reading books, whether fiction or non-fiction, can offer many benefits for our overall health and well-being. Reading fiction is often associated with entertainment, but it can also have significant cognitive and emotional benefits. Fiction can transport us to different worlds, times, and cultures, allowing us to experience new perspectives and emotions. It can build our empathy and social skills by introducing us to characters with different backgrounds and personalities. It can also spark our imagination and creativity by exposing us to new ideas and concepts.
On the other hand, reading non-fiction can provide us with valuable knowledge and information that can enhance our understanding of the world. Non-fiction books can introduce us to new subjects, ideas, and concepts, and help us develop a deeper understanding of our world and ourselves. They can also improve our critical thinking and analytical skills by challenging our assumptions and beliefs.
Whether we prefer fiction or non-fiction, there is no disagreement that reading books can open up new worlds and perspectives, improve our cognitive abilities, and enhance our overall well-being. Therefore, let’s make an attempt to draw ourselves towards the literature and knowledge lying in books, as nobody has stopped anyone from diving deep into the literature, finding things and getting amazed by them. As Neil Gaiman once said, “A book is a dream that you hold in your hand.” Let’s hold onto those dreams and explore the vast world of literature and knowledge that books have to offer.
Please refer to the following articles for further information and direction:
