The good of a book lies in its being read. A book is made up of signs that speak of other signs, which in their turn speak of things. Without an eye to read them, a book contains signs that produce no concepts; therefore it is dumb.
Umberto EcoNot that the incredulous person doesn't believe in anything. It's just that he doesn't believe in everything.
Umberto EcoSince I became a novelist I have discovered that I am biased. Either I think a new novel is worse than mine and I donโt like it, or I suspect it is better than my novels and I donโt like it.
Umberto EcoWhat is love? There is nothing in the world, neither man nor Devil nor any thing, that I hold as suspect as love, for it penetrates the soul more than any other thing. Nothing exists that so fills and binds the heart as love does. Therefore, unless you have those weapons that subdue it, the soul plunges through love into an immense abyss.
Umberto Eco