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.

Me therefore studious of laborious ease.

Me therefore studious of laborious ease.

Our delight in any particular study, art, or science rises and improves in proportion to the application which we bestow read more

Our delight in any particular study, art, or science rises and improves in proportion to the application which we bestow upon it. Thus, what was at first an exercise becomes at length an entertainment.

So study evermore is overshot.
While it doth study to have what it would,
It doth forget read more

So study evermore is overshot.
While it doth study to have what it would,
It doth forget to do the thing it should;
And when it hath the thing it hunteth most,
'Tis won as towns with fire; so won, so lost.

He who studies books alone will know how things ought to be, and he who studies men will know how read more

He who studies books alone will know how things ought to be, and he who studies men will know how they are.

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.

Studious of ease, and fond of humble things.

Studious of ease, and fond of humble things.

When night hath set her silver lamp high,
Then is the time for study.

When night hath set her silver lamp high,
Then is the time for study.

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.