Who kills a man kills a reasonable creature, God's image; but he who destroys a good book, kills reason itself, kills the image of God, as it were, i… - John Milton

A good book is the precious life-blood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life.

but he who destroys a good book, kills reason itself

"A good book is the precious life-blood of a master spirit" —

Many a man lives a burden to the Earth, but a good book is the precious life-blood of a master spirit, imbalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life.

Who kills a man kills a reasonable creature, God’s image, but he who destroys a good book, kills reason itself, kills the image of God, as it were in the eye.

Lawrence, of virtuous father virtuous son

Or call up him that left half told
The story of Cambuscan bold.

I made him just and right, sufficient to have stood, though free to fall.