“Something must always remain that eludes us ... For power to have an object on which it can be exercised, a space in which to stretch out its arms ... As long as I know there exists in the world someone who does tricks only for the love of the trick, as long as I know there is a woman who loves reading for reading's sake, I can convince myself that the world continues ... And every evening I, too, abandon myself to reading, like that distant unknown woman ....”

Share & Save

Meaning

Not documented yet.

When It Was Said

Not documented yet.

Who It Was Said To

Not documented yet.

Historical Context

Not documented yet.

Source

Not documented yet.

Original Language & Translation

Originally said in English.

Did They Really Say It?

Not documented yet.

Did You Know?

Not documented yet.

About Italo Calvino

Italian novelist and short story writer of the 20th century, Calvino is best known for his inventive, playful exploration of narrative structure and his six-part *Six Memos for the Next Millennium*, a reflection on literature’s future. His works like *Invisible Cities* and *If on a winter’s night a traveler* blend fantasy, philosophy, and linguistic experimentation, offering insights into memory, time, and human connection.

More from Italo Calvino (155 quotes) →
"Something must always remain that eludes us ... For power to have an…" — Italo Calvino | Daily Quotes