These are excerpts from the author’s book “Deep,” which contains eight of his small books published in the form of Wisdom Literature covering different aspects of life: Facing troublemakers, dealing with pain, personal financial issues, gastronomy, reading, criticizing, inspiring, and feeling always good to go.

Series 5: Reading.

Reading versus Other Means of Knowledge

• The book is certainly not the only means of knowledge, but it seems to be the most famous of knowledge means when it comes to the direct reception of knowledge.

• The deepest means of knowledge are undoubtedly life experiences, which surpass books in value because they only make knowledge possible through harsh practical trials. In addition, life experiences are forced on everyone, each according to their personalities and lifestyles, while books offer optional knowledge according to the person’s inclinations and desire to read.

• Books are still distinguished by the direct, fast information and knowledge they provide to the reader, which clearly exceeds what any person can acquire from knowledge of life experiences, no matter how he or she lived and had different experiences.

• Traveling is one of the most amazing and enriching means of knowledge. The deepest benefits of travel are not your immediate observations and notes but rather what settles in your subconscious and inspires you throughout the long run, perhaps without you directly realizing it.

• In the not-too-distant past, radio, television, and cinema offered unique and amazing prospects for knowledge. Today the internet contains all these means, including the book itself, incomparably in terms of the volume and speed of the information and knowledge flow.

• The book still has good reasons for its continuing sway and charm against the e-book, and even in comparison to the internet in general. You can still, for example, hold the book and enjoy all its benefits no matter how long the power supply is cut off.

• The book is still so cunning that it spreads the illusion it is the means of knowledge best able to provide the most useful and simple information. This is evident when the markets are flooded with books that introduce the reader to the internet and its history, claiming to simplify its complexities.

• The most valuable means of knowledge are those who have experience and wisdom around you, especially the elderly. Take advantage of their presence by giving them the deserved attention and appreciation.

• Your experiences are some of the richest and most reliable sources of knowledge. Do not stop reviewing and evaluating these experiences deliberately in order to draw lessons from them and progress more steadily and confidently in the future.

• The deepest means of knowledge are an open mind and soul.