For the statue to talk you must have the book in your inventory that the cult member just outside Nericon's garden gave you. Try talking to him again (though I don't think you can refuse the book), or if you had it, check your home base to see if you stashed it somewhere.
Once you have book (and have read it) save before talking to the statue. After you say you are ready to answer his questions, you only get one chance to do so.
If you can not find the book again, it can be replaced;
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