man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man. In studies, whatsoever a man commandeth upon himself let him set hours for it. SAMUEL DANIEL, 1562-1619. O blessed Letters! that combine in one WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, 1564-1616. ALONZO OF ARRAGON. Old wood best to burn; old wine to drink; old friends to trust; and old authors to read. OLD ENGLISH SONG. O for a Booke and a shadie nooke, With the grene leaves whisp'ring overhede, both of the Newe and Olde; For a jollie goode Booke whereon to looke, A SIXTEENTH CENTURY WRITER. Books are the Glasse of Counsell to dress ourselves by. They are Feelesse Counsellours, no delaying Patrons, of easie Accesse, and kind Expedition, never sending away empty any Client or Petitioner. They are for Company, the best Friends; in doubts, Counsellours; in Damp, Comforters; Time's Perspective; the home Traveller's Ship, or Horse; the busie man's best Recreation; the Opiate of Idle weariness; the mind's best Ordinary; Nature's Garden and Seed-plot of Immortality. JOSEPH HALL, 1574-1656. How much sweeter then is the fruit of study, the conscience of knowledge? In comparison whereof the soul that hath once tasted it, easily contemns all human comforts. Go now, ye worldlings, and insult over our paleness, our neediness, our neglect. Ye could not be so jocund if you were not ignorant; if you did not want knowledge, you could not overlook him that hath it; for me, I am so far from emulating you, that I profess I had as lieve be a brute beast, as an ignorant rich man. What a world of wit is here packed up together! I know not whether this sight doth more dismay or comfort me; it dismays me to think, that here is so much that I cannot know; it comforts me to think that this variety yields so good helps to know what I should. HENRY PEACHAM, D. 1640. Affect not, as some do, that bookish ambition, to be stored with books, and have well-furnished libraries, yet keep their heads empty of knowledge. To desire. to have many books, and never to use them, is like a child that will have a candle burning by him all the while he is sleeping. ROBERT BURTON, 1576-1640. But amongst those exercises or recreations of the mind within doors, there is none so general, so aptly to be applied to all sorts of men, so fit and proper to expel idleness and melancholy, as that of study. So sweet is the delight of study, the more learning they have the more they covet to learn; the longer they live, the more they are enamored with the Muses. BALTHASAR BONIFACIUS RHODIGINUS, 1584-1659. But how can I live here without my books? I really seem to myself crippled and only half myself; for if, as the great Orator used to say, arms are a soldier's members, surely books are the limbs of scholars. CORASIUS. Of a truth, he who would deprive me of books, my old friends, would take away all the delight of my life, nay, I will even say all desire of living. LEO ALLATIUS, 1586-1669. : To me, indeed, the light of the sun, the day, and life itself, would be joyless and bitter, if I had not something to read if I lacked the works of the most illustrious men; for, in comparison with their preciousness and delight, wealth and pleasure, and all the things that men prize, are mean and trifling. JAMES SHIRLEY, 1594-1666. I never knew More sweet and happy hours than I employ'd Upon my books. SIR WILLIAM WALLER, 1597-1668. In my study I am sure to converse with none but wise men; but abroad it is impossible for me to avoid the society of fools. Here, without travelling so far as Endor, I can call up the ablest spirits of those times, the learnedest philosophers, the wisest counsellors, the greatest generals, and make them serviceable to me. FRANCESCO DI RIOJA, 1600-1659. A little peaceful home Bounds all my wants and wishes; add to this SIR THOMAS BROWNE, 1605-1682. I envy no man that knows more than myself, but pity them that know less. THOMAS FULLER, 1608-1661. When there is no recreation or business for thee abroad, thou may'st have a company of honest old fellows in their leathern jackets in thy study which will find thee excellent divertisement at home. JOHN MILTON, 1608-1674. For Books do preserve, as in a violl, the purest efficacie and extraction of that living intellect that bred them. A good Booke is the pretious life-blood of a master spirit, imbalm'd and treasur'd up on purpose to a Life beyond Life. Who reads Incessantly, and to his reading brings not Uncertain and unsettled still remains ; EARL OF CLARENDON, 1608-1674. He that doth not think at all upon what he is to do, will never do any thing well; and he who doth nothing but think, had as good do nothing at all. SIR MATTHEW HALE, 1609-1676. I have been acquainted somewhat with men and books, and have had long experience in learning, and in the world. Be diligent in study and in your calling. It will be your wisdom and benefit. FRANCIS OSBORNE, D. 1659. A few books well studied, and thoroughly digested, nourish the understanding more than hundreds but gargled in the mouth. BENJAMIN WHICHCOTE, 1610-1683. The Improvement of a little Time may be a gain to all Eternity. A good Booke may be a Benefactor representing God Himself. SAMUEL SORBIÈRE, 1610-1670. It is not the quantity but the quality of knowledge which is valuable. GILLES MÉNAGE, 1613-1692. The reason why borrowed books are seldom returned, is that it is easier to retain the books themselves than what is inside of them. |