“Printer’s ink has been running a race against gunpowder these many, many years. Ink is handicapped, in a way, because you can blow up a man with gunpowder in half a second, while it may take twenty years to blow him up with a book. But the gunpowder destroys itself along with its victim, while a book can keep on exploding for centuries.”
Christopher Morley, The Haunted Bookshop
"... a book can keep exploding for centuries". What a great line. It makes me think about how words written down centuries ago still remain true or act as a warning or as a guide for us so many years later. That the power of words and books to change the course of history remains, even long after they are written.
In some ways it is an alternative take on 'the pen is mightier than the sword' I suppose - but the links to books, burning and gunpowder are great. Somehow the inclusion of a timeframe in these words adds something for me as well - that sense the words and books remain and can continue to impact many years on; even tho gunpowder can destroy so swiftly.
As often happens when I ponder art and books I am touched by how similar the two worlds are - for writers and artists; for books and artworks. I think fabulous art can echo down the ages as well and remain a powerful protest or celebration, long after whatever war was on has finished.
A bit like this page below - after the words were printed, then destroyed by burning, beauty remains...
Christopher Morley, The Haunted Bookshop
"... a book can keep exploding for centuries". What a great line. It makes me think about how words written down centuries ago still remain true or act as a warning or as a guide for us so many years later. That the power of words and books to change the course of history remains, even long after they are written.
In some ways it is an alternative take on 'the pen is mightier than the sword' I suppose - but the links to books, burning and gunpowder are great. Somehow the inclusion of a timeframe in these words adds something for me as well - that sense the words and books remain and can continue to impact many years on; even tho gunpowder can destroy so swiftly.
As often happens when I ponder art and books I am touched by how similar the two worlds are - for writers and artists; for books and artworks. I think fabulous art can echo down the ages as well and remain a powerful protest or celebration, long after whatever war was on has finished.
A bit like this page below - after the words were printed, then destroyed by burning, beauty remains...
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| ©2012 Fiona Dempster - burnt page, beauty remains... |
Beautiful. What I find intriguing also is that the other words, once burned, to me have a look of arabic script to them.
ReplyDeleteThanks Olga and I agree about the burnt out words. They 'read' like a completely different script and are beautiful in their own way...
DeleteSuper quote!
ReplyDeleteThe surviving word on your burned text page says it perfectly; a wonderful post as always...
Hi Anna, it is a powerful quote isn't it? I love the way that beauty remains...
DeleteThanks for posting this. That IS an amazing idea - a book can keep on exploding for centuries. Literary or visual fireworks contained in those pages.
ReplyDeleteInspiring and heartening isn't it Annie? Visual and literary fireworks begin!
ReplyDelete