"Have you read all those books, Patrick?" a friend asked, looking at my library. "I haven't read all these particular books," I said. "But I've read more than you can see here." This is my fourth collection of books. Today I might buy something I have no intention of reading. Just because it's so inexpensive, or maybe it's a first edition, and in good shape. I don't waste time on best-sellers. But maybe I might thumb through one if I have nothing else to do. When I'm dead my daughters can sell them for a few bucks. I've left piles of books in cities that I've abandoned long ago. And, yeah, reading is important to me. But I know the huge difference between reading something original, and writing something original. You don't become enlightened by repeating another person's words. Their truths aren't your truths. Their insights took them somewhere special, but you won't get there by taking the same road. What opened up smoothly beautiful for them is a dead end for you. Walk your own path.