"Judge the goodness of a book by the energy of the punches it has given you. I believe the greatest characteristic of genius, is, above all, force"

In this quote, Gustave Flaubert is recommending that the real procedure of an excellent book is not in its content or style, but in the effect it has on the reader. He compares the punches of a book to the force of a genius, suggesting that a genuinely excellent book must leave a long lasting impression and stimulate strong emotions in its readers. Flaubert thinks that the most crucial quality of a genius is their capability to convey this force through their work. This quote highlights the power of literature to move and inspire us, and advises us to judge books not just by their surface level qualities, however by the energy they bring into our lives.