Quote#Books & Reading
A presentation copy...is a copy of a book whoch does not sell, sent…
Quote byCharles Lamb · 1775–1834
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Last Essays of Elia (1833), Popular Fallacies: XI, That We Must Not Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth.
English (original)
A presentation copy...is a copy of a book whoch does not sell, sent you by the author, with his foolish autograph at the beginning of it; for which, if a stranger, he only demands your friendship; if a brother author, he expects from you a book of yours, which does not sell, in return.
— Charles Lamb
More from Charles Lamb
For God's sake (I never was more serious), don't make me ridiculous any more by terming me gentle-hearted in print.
I have something more to do than to feel.
Severe and saintly righteousness Composed the clear white bridal dress; Jesus, the Son of Heaven's high King Bought with his blood the marriage ring
I have had playmates, I have had companions, In my days of childhood, in my joyful school days— All, all are gone, the old familiar faces.
Cultivate simplicity or rather should I say banish elaborateness, for simplicity springs spontaneous from the heart.
Please to blot out gentle hearted, and substitute drunken dog, ragged head, seld-shaven, odd-ey'd, stuttering, or any other epithet which truly and properly belongs to the Gentleman in question.