But a book is written, not to multiply the voice merely. not to carry it merely, but to perpetuate it. The author has something to say which he perceives to be true and useful, or fu1ly beautiful. So far as he knows, no one has yet said it; so far as he knows, no one else can say it. He is bound to say it, clearly and melodiously if he may; clearly at all events. In the sum of his life he finds this to be the thing, or group of things, manifest to him - this, the piece of true knowledge, or sight, which his share of sunshine and earth has permitted him to seize. "That is his “writing;” it is, in his small human way, and with whatever degree of true inspiration is in him, his inscription, or scripture. That is a "Book."

　　但是, 寫書不僅僅為了重復(fù)聲音, 也不僅僅為了傳達(dá)聲音, 而是為了使那聲音永恒。作者 要說的, 他認(rèn)為是真理 , 很有用, 或是有幫助 , 很美麗。就他而言, 他是第一個說這話的人; 就他而言, 能說這話的沒有第二個人。他不能不說, 而且還要盡可能地說得明白, 說得動昕, 至少要說得明白。他發(fā)現(xiàn)這就是他一生中向他顯現(xiàn)的那一件、或那幾件事情一一就是這, 這一真知或灼見, 是他頭上的太陽和腳下的土地使他得以把握住�！�…這就是他的 "寫作", 雖然他個人十分渺小, 也無論他心中受到多少真正的啟示, 這是他的鎊刻, 他的筆畫。這就是 "書 "