To Kill a Mockingbird Quotes

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Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.

Context


Atticus Finch, hero of To Kill a Mockingbird and Best Dad Ever, has made a habit of reading to his daughter Scout at night. The whole scenario has put her at the head of her class (the horror!) and has embarrassed her teacher, a newcomer to Maycomb.

After using her powers for evil (i.e., embarrassing her teacher), Scout is confronted with the possibility of losing her reading time— which, until that moment, she wasn't aware she valued so much.

Where you've heard it

This quote is dropped by booklovers everywhere. 

It speaks to both enjoying life's small pleasures, and how essential reading is to life. 

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.

We can definitely get behind this sentiment.