Tsao's own children remember him clasping a book and reading. Students recall him carrying a bag full of books and giving generously of his time to those who dropped by seeking instruction. His fellow scholars acknowledge his conscientious research, objective and rigorous theorizing, and careful assertions.
捧書閱讀的身影，是孩子們記憶中的曹永和；常年背著一袋書，對上門求教者傾囊相待，是學生心目中的曹永和；考證細緻，立論嚴謹客觀，不妄下斷言，是國內外學界所認知的曹永和。