Who said “If some books are deemed most baneful and their sale forbid, how, then, with deadlier…”?

Verified

Herman Melville. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThe Encantadas (1854), Sketch Eighth

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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“If some books are deemed most baneful and their sale forbid, how, then, with deadlier facts, not dreams of doting men? Those whom books will hurt will not be proof against events. Events, not books, should be forbid.”
VerifiedThe Encantadas (1854), Sketch Eighth · evidenceCensorship

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Encantadas (1854), Sketch Eighth.

APA

Melville, H. (n.d.). If some books are deemed most baneful and their sale forbid, how, then, with deadlier facts, not dreams of doting men? Those whom books will hurt will not be proof against events. Events, not books, should be forbid. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/9091-if-some-books-are-deemed-most-baneful-and/

MLA

Melville, Herman. “If some books are deemed most baneful and their sale forbid, how, then, with deadlier facts, not dreams of doting men? Those whom books will hurt will not be proof against events. Events, not books, should be forbid.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/9091-if-some-books-are-deemed-most-baneful-and/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Melville, Herman. “If some books are deemed most baneful and their sale forbid, how, then, with deadlier facts, not dreams of doting men? Those whom books will hurt will not be proof against events. Events, not books, should be forbid.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/9091-if-some-books-are-deemed-most-baneful-and/.