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Volumes Quotes

Books as a metaphor for a guarded life

One line describes an entire life as little more than reticence stretched across three volumes, a striking image of quiet withholding.

It is not a life at all. It is a reticence, in three volumes.

Quotes by William E. Gladstone

Volumes might be written upon the impiety of the pious.

Quotes by Herbert Spencer

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the phrase three volumes describe?
It describes a life defined mainly by silence and reticence, as if it were a long, guarded book.
What subject does the second quote criticize?
It criticizes the hidden impiety that can exist beneath a show of pious, religious behavior.
Is the tone of these quotes light or serious?
The tone is serious and reflective, using literary imagery to make a pointed observation.
Do these quotes reference actual published books?
No, volumes here is used as a metaphor rather than a reference to specific published works.
What theme connects both quotes?
Both lines use the idea of lengthy volumes to talk about what lies hidden beneath a surface.

The other suggests that whole volumes could be filled documenting the impiety hidden beneath outwardly pious behavior.