Jahiz on books :)

"The book is silent as long as you need silence, eloquent whenever you want discourse. He never interrupts you if you are engaged, but if you are lonely he is a good companion. He is a friend who never deceives or flatters you, and he is a companion who never grows tired of you."

-Al Jahiz, Muslim philosopher and man of literature, 8th century, Basra, Iraq

via Juan