"The best books for a man are not always those which the wise recommend, but often those which meet the peculiar wants, the natural thirst of his mind, and therefore awaken interest and rivet thought"

In this quote, William Ellery Channing suggests that the best books for a man are not necessarily the ones recommended by wise people, however rather the ones that accommodate his specific requirements and interests. He thinks that an individual's natural curiosity and desire for knowledge must assist their reading options. Channing emphasizes the importance of books that record an individual's attention and stimulate their ideas, instead of simply following the recommendations of others. This quote highlights the idea that reading ought to be an individual and private experience, which the very best books are the ones that resonate with an individual's distinct mind and interests.