OF STUDIES (BACON): Some books are to be tasted; others swallowed; some few to be chewed and digested (Explanation)

It is not that all the books that are printed and put into the market are worthy to read. There are books and books and to categorize them according to the subjects is really difficult. But in each department there are three categories of books of which Bacon speaks; books to be tasted, books to be swallowed and books to be chewed and digested.

There are certain types of books which can only be tasted. To have a taste is just like to have some sensation out of reading it. The taste may be good or bad. When it is good, there is a further attraction and when it is bad, there is only repulsion. This, of course, refers to the general reader and not to the specialist who may study them deeply or in the words of Bacon 'Chewed and Digested' in order to submit a research paper. In short, one should taste them simply in order to know them and nothing beyond.

Now comes the second category of books which are to be shallowed. One swallows a capsule not because he likes it but because it is necessary for him to take it as per his doctor's advice. It is not that the books belonged to this category are not useful. Only one does not seek them to bring comfort or seek companionship in them. It is not for pleasure one reads them. Such books are like multiplication tables to a child. These are the short professional books which litter the tables of different experts.

Then comes the third category of books which must be chewed and digested. At least a modern school boy knows what a chewing gum is. With half closed eyes one can go on chewing because it is so tasty. The chewing gum stops with the mouth, for it is nothing to be digested. But in the case of good food, not only should it be chewed; it must also be digested only to be assimilated into the body.

So too there are books which must be chewed and digested. To this category belong the great classics, the great religious books, dramas of Shakespeare and great poetry. They never grow stale through the lapse of time nor are they dimmed because of age. They can be read and re-read and they have influenced the life and thoughts of all generations of people. As somebody had cryptly said, 'Read Shakespeare for the seventh time, you will find a new meaning'. Such books are not confined to geographical borders for they are universal and a wise man would have chewed and digested them. (437 word)