If I were again beginning my studies, I would follow the advice of Plato and start with mathematics.

If I were again beginning my studies, I would follow the advice of Plato and start with mathematics.

Study is like the heaven's glorious sun,
That will not be deep-searched with saucy looks:
Small have read more

Study is like the heaven's glorious sun,
That will not be deep-searched with saucy looks:
Small have continual plodders ever won,
Save base authority from others' books.

The world's great men have not commonly been great scholars, nor its great scholars great men.

The world's great men have not commonly been great scholars, nor its great scholars great men.

Beholding the bright countenance of truth in the quiet and still
air of delightful studies.

Beholding the bright countenance of truth in the quiet and still
air of delightful studies.

For he as studious--of his ease.

For he as studious--of his ease.

I know what I should love to do--to build a study; to write, and to think of nothing else. I read more

I know what I should love to do--to build a study; to write, and to think of nothing else. I want to bury myself in a den of books. I want to saturate myself with the elements of which they are made, and breathe their atmosphere until I am of it. Not a bookworm, being which is to give off no utterances; but a man in the world of writing--one with a pen that shall stop men to listen to it, whether they wish to or not.

Before we can study the central issues of life today, we must destroy the prejudices and fallacies born of previous read more

Before we can study the central issues of life today, we must destroy the prejudices and fallacies born of previous centuries

These (literary) studies are the food of youth, and consolation
of age; they adorn prosperity, and are the comfort read more

These (literary) studies are the food of youth, and consolation
of age; they adorn prosperity, and are the comfort and refuge of
adversity; they are pleasant at home, and are no incumbrance
abroad; they accompany us at night, in our travels, and in our
rural retreats.
[Lat., Haec studia adolecentiam alunt, senectutem oblectant,
secundas res ornant, adversis solatium et perfugium praebent,
delectant domi, non impediunt foris, pernoctant nobiscum,
peregrinantur, rusticantur.

Me therefore studious of laborious ease.

Me therefore studious of laborious ease.