I came across this passage in NNT's works and i think it needs a little bit more elaboration for people to "get" it; 1) The "unread" books constitute the "know

I came across this passage in NNT's works and i think it needs a little bit more elaboration for people to "get" it; 1) The "unread" books constitute the "known unknowns". They confirm the fact that you have mapped out a little bit more of the "unknown territory of knowledge" and can go explore them whenever you are in mind. 2) Having a large set of "unread" books keeps your curiosity, motivation and a sense of "knowledge exploration" alive. These are the driving forces which make "existence" bearable. Most people do not get out of their immediate sensory gratification bubble and are unaware of the "intellectual joy" outside of it. The above two factors have what has made "Civilization" as we know it, possible.