"Books have the same enemies as people: fire, humidity, animals, weather, and their own content"

This quote by Paul Valery talks to the fragility of books and the numerous risks they deal with. Fire is an especially unsafe opponent of books, as it can rapidly destroy them. Humidity can also be harmful, as it can cause the pages to end up being deformed and the ink to run. Animals can also be a danger, as they can chew on the pages or utilize them as nesting material. Weather can also be destructive, as rain and extreme temperatures can cause the pages to become breakable and stained. Finally, the content of the book itself can be its own enemy, as particular books may contain details that is thought about controversial or offending, resulting in censorship or damage. All of these threats can result in the loss of valuable understanding and details, which is why it is essential to take steps to protect books from these opponents.