"We read deeply for varied reasons, most of them familiar: that we cannot know enough people profoundly enough; that we need to know ourselves better; that we require knowledge, not just of self and others, but of the way things are"

This quote by Harold Bloom speaks with the importance of reading. He suggests that we check out deeply for a range of reasons, including to acquire a much better understanding of ourselves and others, and to acquire understanding of the world around us. He indicates that reading can offer us with a deeper understanding of individuals and the world than we can get from simply interacting with them. He also recommends that reading can help us to acquire a better understanding of ourselves, and to get knowledge that we may not have the ability to obtain from other sources. In essence, Bloom is recommending that reading is an essential tool for self-discovery and understanding acquisition. By checking out deeply, we can acquire a much better understanding of ourselves, others, and the world around us.