An exponent of delivering advertisements through the mail was unhappy that these messages were often thrown away unread.

The earliest close match found by QI was published in October 1914 in an item reprinted from the periodical “The Dodge Idea”. Who can see the barely perceptible line between the man who can not read at all and the man who does not read at all? The literate who can, but does not, read, and the illiterate who neither does nor can? The superintendent used rhetorical questions that equated individuals who cannot read with those who do not read: 1910 July, The Southern Workman, Volume 39, Number 7,, Start, Quote, The Press of The … Continue reading The words of the state superintendent of public instruction in Virginia were recorded as he advocated support for libraries that would provide quality books for children. The earliest conceptual match for the expression located by QI was printed in “The Southern Workman” in 1910. (Accessed December 11, 2012) link both indicate that the connection to Twain is unsupported. (Verified on paper) and Twain specialist Barbara Schmidt website edited by Barbara Schmidt, Comment at bottom of webpage titled “Reading”. Quotation expert Ralph Keyes 2006, The Quote Verifier by Ralph Keyes,, 116 and 274, St Martin’s Griffin, New York. Quote Investigator: There is no substantive evidence that Mark Twain said or wrote this maxim.

Now, I am suspicious that this adage may not be from Twain. The man who doesn’t read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them. I was unable to determine when this saying was created, but I did find another version while searching: Mark Twain? Inland Steel Company? Quin Ryan? Abigail Van Buren? Anonymous?ĭear Quote Investigator: Mark Twain is credited with a marvelous saying about the importance of reading:Ī person who won’t read has no advantage over one who can’t read.

I have never read a book