Read the text and fill in the gaps with correct form of verbs as per subject and context :

Books (a) ____ (possess) as essence of immortality. They (b) _____ (be) the most precious products of human efforts. Temptations (c) _____ (crumble) into ashes. Pictures and statues (d) _____ (decay) but books (e) _____ (survive). Time is of no account for great thoughts which (f) _____ (be) as fresh today as they (g) ____ (be) when came through the authors' minds ages ago. What (h) ____ (be) then thought or said still (i) ______ speak to us. Books (j) _____ (introduce) us to the best society. They (k) ______ (bring) us into the presence of the noblest minds that have ever (l) _____ (live). We hear what they (m) ____ (think) or said. We see them as if they (n) ____ (be) really alive.