help the scholar understand the world However he also reminds us that the truths of one age cannot remain true for all ages Right Use of Books Emerson gives his famous line Books are the best of things well used abused among the worst Books are helpful only when they awaken thought If the scholar reads blindly he becomes a slave to other minds He must read only to gain light and power Freedom from Book-Worship Emerson warns that many readers become slaves to books He says that a reader should not be the parrot of other men s thinking The scholar must not follow the old blindly He should take what fits his own age and reject what is dead or narrow True creative reading means independence It refers to reading to find one s own voice not to repeat another s Books as Inspiration for the Present Age Emerson says Each age it is found must write its own books The scholar should read the past to write for the future He must take inspiration from the old but express the spirit of his own time In conclusion Emerson teaches that books can build or break the mind When used rightly they inspire and enlighten when abused they enslave and silence thought The true scholar reads to create not to copy and keeps the spirit of wisdom alive