You are what you read =?

[Polyester]

I quoted it from my postcard that bought it from the store.
What does the sentence mean below?

"You are what you read"


It's too simple and easy to understand every words.However, when these words are combined together that I don't understand the meaning.:shock:

 

[SoothingDave]

Why do dictatorial governments ban certain books, websites, etc.?

Because reading things can change how people think.

 

[lotus888]

It comes from "You are what you eat."

You are what you read.



--lotus

 

[Polyester]

What are you trying to say?
lotu888

 

[lotus888]

"You are what you read" is derived from "You are what you eat."

Both sayings convey the meaning of "You are what you take in."

One is of your mind, the other is of your body.

The postcard is playing with words.


--lotus

 

[TheParser]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Hello, Polyester:

Just to add a few more comments to the excellent answers from the other posters.

1. Here in the United States, schools sometimes have (respectful, of course) disagreements with parents regarding the books that their children are assigned to read.

2. In this country, the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, has often been asked to decide this question: Should this kind of magazine or book be allowed to be published?

3. When I walk down the street, sometimes there are people from various organizations (religious, political, etc.) who will hand me something to read. They hope that their publications can help form my opinions.

This topic can become very controversial: I had better stop right now!

 

[Matthew Wai]

"You are what you read" is derived from "You are what you eat."

May I take it to mean 'You are influenced by what you read/eat'?

 

[TheParser]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Some people also believe that you are what you wear.

(1) Some young American men wear their pants so low that people can see their underwear. Some cities have tried to ban such conduct.

(2) Some schools require their students to wear some kind of uniform.

(3) There's the saying: "Clothes make the man [person]." Maybe this could be interpreted in at least two ways: the way one dresses influences how others think about you; wearing certain clothes makes you feel about yourself in a certain way.

 

[SoothingDave]

You also hear "don't dress for the job you have, dress for the job you want."

 

[Polyester]

Does that make these youn men underpants?

What does the word in red mean?

 

[Tdol]

May I take it to mean 'You are influenced by what you read/eat'?

At the very least- You are what you eat is used to suggest that you should eat a healthy diet because that food will be used to build/maintain your body and health. I assume that with the read version, it suggests that books will feed your mind.