The niece expresses her concern about her uncle, Don Quixote, and the influence of chivalric books on his actions. She suggests that rather than just disregarding them, he should destroy these books entirely to prevent further madness. She fears that if he continues reading, he might abandon his noble aspirations to pursue a life of simplicity, such as becoming a shepherd, or worse, take up poetry, which she considers a troublesome affliction.

This quote highlights the niece's humorous frustration with her uncle's obsession with chivalry and her belief that such literature could lead to a decline in reason. It reflects the broader theme of the novel, which critiques the idealism found in such stories, suggesting that they can lead people away from reality and into whimsical pursuits that may not serve them well.