"读一本书有两个动机:一个是你喜欢它,另一个是你可以炫耀它。"
— Bertrand Russell
Simplified Meaning:
When people read a book, they usually do it for one of two reasons. The first motive is that they actually find the book enjoyable and interesting. The second reason is that they want to tell others they've read it to appear smart or impressive. Imagine someone reading a popular, complex novel; they might really love the story and characters, or they might just want to look intelligent in front of their friends. For example, if a person reads a famous, difficult book like "War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy, they might genuinely enjoy the deep story and learn a lot from it. On the other hand, someone else might read the same book just to say they did it, so others think they are well-read and sophisticated. In life, it’s important to ask yourself why you’re doing something. If you really love it and enjoy it, that’s great. But if you’re only doing it to impress others, you might not be as happy or get as much from the experience. Enjoy things for their true value rather than just for how they'll make you look to others.