This quote from Ernest Hemingway's A Moveable Feast presents a simple yet profound directive about literary consumption. It suggests an approach to reading that is selective and intentional, positing that engaging with literature that is either genuinely excellent or outright poor yields the most honest and valuable experiences.

From one perspective, this advice encourages readers to seek out what is "truly good"—works that offer beauty, profound insight, or exemplary craftsmanship. Such literature enriches our intellectual and emotional lives, inspiring us and expanding our understanding of the human condition. Reading works of high caliber can set a benchmark for quality, nurture our tastes, and challenge our assumptions.

Conversely, Hemingway also endorses reading what is "frankly bad," which is somewhat counterintuitive. However, encountering poor writing or flawed ideas serves a vital educational purpose. Bad literature provides contrasting examples that sharpen our critical faculties, helping us recognize errors, weak arguments, or lack of originality. It prevents us from accepting ideas uncritically and can teach us what to avoid in our own work or thought processes.

This quote implicitly rejects the middle ground—the mediocre, the tepid, or the safe. It calls for boldness in engagement, inviting readers to either be uplifted or challenged by the extremes. This perspective values authenticity and clarity over ambivalence or passive consumption.

In a broader cultural sense, the quote prompts reflection on how we approach information and art in an age overwhelmed with choices. It reminds us that time and attention are precious and should not be wasted on lukewarm content. Instead, we should pursue works that deeply move us, those that inspire admiration or provoke critical reflection.

Ultimately, Hemingway's counsel is not simply about literary preference but about cultivating an active, discerning reading habit. It celebrates reading as a dynamic dialogue where engagement with extremes fosters growth, appreciation, and understanding. Whether reading to be inspired or to learn from mistakes, being selective refines our intellectual palate and strengthens our cultural literacy.