"Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new at all"

This quote by Abraham Lincoln speaks with the power of books to provide viewpoint and understanding. By checking out books, we can gain insight into the thoughts and concepts of others, and typically find that our own initial ideas are not as distinct as we might have believed. This quote encourages us to read commonly and to be available to the concepts of others, as it can help us to get a better understanding of the world and our location in it. It also serves as a suggestion that we are all connected, which our ideas are often shaped by the collective understanding of those who have actually come before us. Ultimately, this quote motivates us to be simple and to acknowledge the value of gaining from the wisdom of others.