A Warning Regarding Books

Scolastici vero tam docentes quam addiscentes, ammonendi sunt de artificioso studio in libris, prout ait Seneca epistola ii. Distrahit librorum multitudo, itaque cum legere non possis quantum habueris, satis est habere quantum legas. Sed meo inquis: hunc librum evoluere volo, meo illum, fastidientis stomachi est multum degustare, que vero varia sunt et diversa, inquinant non alunt probatos itaque semper lege, et siquando ad alteros diveretere libuerit, ad priores redi. Moneat ergo ut fiat diligens inspectio, et inspectorum impressa rememoratio, unde idem epistola xlvi: Non refert quam multos sed quam bonos habeas libros, lectio certa prodest, varia delectat, multitudo enim librorum onerat, non instruit, et satius est, paucis auctoribus te tradere, quam errare per multos xl. enim milia librorum Allexandriae arserunt et cetera. Cum ergo innumerabiles sunt libro, non potest homo pervenire ad ominum inspectionem. Studeas igitur in autenticis et utilibus, non enim est finis faciendi libros, Ecclesiastici xxi. Johannes Gallensis, Communiloquium sive Summa Collationum, Quinta Pars, Distinctio Secunda, Capitulum secundum: Qulaes libros habere debent studentes Source: here, p202

However scholars, who are as much teachers as learners, have been warned against a false study of books, as Seneca says in his second letter, 'A multitude of books distracts, so if you cannot read all the books you have, you have enough when you have the books you can read. But if you should say to me, 'I wish to open this book at one time and another at another time.' I say that it is a fussy stomach that tastes many dishes, and when they are quite various and diverse they upset rather than nourish. Always read proven authors, and if at some time it pleases you to turn to different ones, go back to what you have read before.' 1 Therefore he admonishes that there should be a diligent inspection and the impressing of remembrance on those who read, whence he says in his forty sixth letter: 'It matters not if you have many books but rather if they are good ones. Sure reading improves, variety merely amuses.' 1 A multitude of books oppresses, it does not instruct. It is better to make use of a few authors than to err with many. In the fortieth letter: 'A thousand books of Alexandria burnt, etc.' 3 Therefore, when there are countless books, no man is able to give them all his full attention. So study what is true and profitable, for 'of making books there is no end.' 4 John of Wales, The Communiloquium, Fifth Part, Second Distinction, Second Chapter, What Books One Should Have For Study 1 Seneca Epis 2.3-4 2 Seneca Epis 45.1 3 Seneca Tranq Anim 9 4 Eccles 21.12