A man who reads is never confined entirely to the experience of his own household, work or generation. Books introduce him to lives he will not lead, arguments he may disagree with and periods he could never visit. This is reason enough to make room for reading, but there is another benefit. A good book […]
The quickest way to make an art gallery uncomfortable is to arrive convinced that everyone else understands a secret language. People stand in front of a painting, read a label and nod gravely. It can look as though appreciation is something that must be performed. In fact, looking closely at art begins with simpler questions. […]
A gentleman need not have studied at a famous university to enjoy a painting, a concert or a serious conversation about a book. Culture is not a set of references to be dropped at dinner in the hope of sounding impressive. It is a way of enlarging one’s interests and meeting the thoughts of other […]