If Serenus had
done nothing else in his life, and had not read a word in all those
volumes, would he not have had enough to do in learning their titles and
sizes and numbers and their authors' names? Here you have a science that
turns a philosopher into a librarian. This is not feeding the soul with
wisdom: it is the crushing it under a weight of riches or torturing it in
the waters of Tantalus.
_Pet._ I have innumerable books.
_Crit._ Yes, and innumerable errors of ignorant authors and of the
copyists who corrupt all that they touch.
_Pet._ I have a good provision of books.
_Crit._ What does that matter, if your intellect cannot take them in? Do
you remember the Roman Sabinus who plumed himself on the learning of his
slaves? Some people think that they must know what is in their own books,
and say, when a new subject is started: 'I have a book about that in my
library!' They think that this is quite sufficient, just as if the book
were in their heads, and then they raise their eyebrows, and there is an
end of the subject.
_Pet._ I am overflowing with books.
_Crit._ Why don't you overflow with talent and eloquence? Ah! but these
things are not for sale, like books, and if they were I don't suppose
there would be many buyers, for books do make a covering for the walls,
but those other wares are only clothing for the soul, and are invisible
and therefore neglected.
_Pet._ I have books which help me in my studies.
_Crit._ Take care that they do not prove a hindrance.
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