Here are a few of the quotes listed in the Desiring God Pastors’ Confernece Program, compiled by William Mackenzie.

If he shall not lose his reward who gives a cup of cold water to his thirsty neighbors, what will be the reward of those who by putting good books in the hands of their nighbors open to them a fountain of eternal life? Thomas a Kempis

Books may preach when the author cannot; when the author may not; when the author dares not; yes, and what is more when the author is not. Thomas Brooks

Reading on wise and virtuous subjects is, next to the Bible and prayer, the best improvement of our hearts. It enlightens us, it calms us, it collects our thoughts and prompts us to better efforts. William Law

There are two things in the entire history of missions that have been absolutely central. One, obviously, is the Bible itself. The other is the printed page. There is absolutely nothing else, in terms of mission methodology, that outranks the importance of the printed page. Meetings come and go and personalities appear and are gone. But, the printed page continues to speak. Ralph Winter

The person who desires to grow spiritually and intellectually will be constantly at this books. Oswald Sanders

A man’s reading programme should be as carefully planned as his daily diet, for that is the food without which he cannot grow mentally. Carnegie

Paul is inspired yet he wants books: he has been preaching nearly thirty years, yet he wants books: he has a wider experience than most people, yet he wants books: he has been caught up into heaven and heard things which it is unlawful to utter yet he wants books: he has written the major part of the New Testament, yet he wants books. Charles Spurgeon on 2 Timothy 4:13