Introduction

In a college literature class, I was introduced to the idea of a commonplace book.  Essentially, a commonplace book is one's personal collection of quotes, ideas, and literary excerpts.  It is compiled over an extended period of time in the course of one's reading, listening, correspondence, and observation, and it is organized by topic.  It is used for reflection and analysis, for making connections between ideas, and as a source for one's own writing.  Commonplace books were used by the likes of John Locke, Francis Bacon, and John Milton, and for centuries they have been indispensable tools for scholars.  

I'm no great scholar, but I realized a while ago that if I want my reading to come to any use other than transient enjoyment, I need a way to record the thoughts and passages that stand out to me as important, beautiful, and true.  In short, I need a commonplace book.

There are countless great ideas, memorably phrased, which elevate the mind, ennoble the heart, and inspire the spirit when they are read.  There are many truths which are self-evident if honestly considered.  There is poetry and prose that is achingly beautiful and that nourishes the soul.  The trouble is, most of this material is sitting on the closed pages of books.  My hope with this blog is that by sharing the contents of my commonplace book, I can share these uplifting ideas and get other people thinking about them.  I'm not going to pretend that I'm more scholarly or well-read than anybody else, but I believe that the little I have to share can make a difference.  

So without further ado, here's the plan for this blog.  Every day I'll post a quote or passage from my commonplace book.  I'm not going to give preference to certain types of sources - some quotes might be from great literature and important people, while others may be from novels, blogs, or conversations I've had with friends.  The only criterion for inclusion is that the quote or thought is worth thinking about.  

I have my own thoughts and opinions on most of these quotes, but in order to let them speak for themselves, I'll place my own thoughts, if any, in comments rather than in the blog posts themselves.  I welcome the comments and thoughts of anyone who reads this.  I hope we can have some good discussions.  Most of all, I hope these words will have as positive an impact on you as they've had on me.

Best wishes,

Dan