Quote by: Robertson Davies

Oho, now I know what you are. You are an advocate of Useful Knowledge.... Well, allow me to introduce myself to you as an advocate of Ornamental Knowledge. You like the mind to be a neat machine, equipped to work efficiently, if narrowly, and with no extra bits or useless parts. I like the mind to be a dustbin of scraps of brilliant fabric, odd gems, worthless but fascinating curiosities, tinsel, quaint bits of carving, and a reasonable amount of healthy dirt. Shake the machine and it goes out of order; shake the dustbin and it adjusts itself beautifully to its new position.


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Author Bio


  • NameRobertson Davies
  • DescriptionCanadian journalist, playwright, professor, critic, and novelist
  • BornAugust 28, 1913
  • DiedDecember 2, 1995
  • CountryCanada
  • ProfessionWriter; Novelist; Reporter; Playwright; Professor; Musicologist
  • AwardsMolson Prize; Companion Of The Order Of Canada