A library of wisdom, then, is more precious than all wealth, and all things that are desirable cannot be compared to it.

Books appear to be the most immediate instruments of speculative delight.

Books alone are liberal and free; they give to all who ask; they emancipate all who serve them faithfully.

Books delight us when prosperity smiles upon us; they comfort us inseparably when stormy fortune frowns on us.

All the glory of the world would be buried in oblivion, unless God had provided mortals with the remedy of books.

A library of wisdom, then, is more precious than all wealth, and all things that are desirable cannot be compared to it.

Let us consider how great a commodity of doctrine exists in books; how easily, how secretly, how safely they expose the nakedness of human ignorance without putting it to shame. These are the masters who instruct us without rods and ferules, without hard words and anger, without clothes or money. If you approach them, they are not asleep; if investigating you interrogate them, they conceal nothing; if you mistake them, they never grumble; if you are ignorant, they cannot laugh at you.