Marginalia Quotes

Context

This line is from the poem "Marginalia" by Billy Collins (1996).

Marginalia isn't something that gets pixelated on television. It's the term for little scribbles in the margins of a book. After all, just owning a book means nothing if you haven't read it, and recording your thoughts in the margins is a perfect way to prove you read a book.

It's also a great way to get to know the reader of a book, and that's what the narrator of this poem discovers. He doesn't cry "sacrilege!" when he finds a penciled note and some greasy stains on the pages of a used copy of The Catcher in the Rye. He knows he's found a kindred spirit.

Where you've heard it

You've thought this when borrowing a book from a friend who likes to eat and read, but isn't very good at getting all the food in his/her mouth.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Is there a less pretentious sandwich than an egg salad sandwich? We don't think so.