Richard De Bury Quotes

#1. You, O Books, are the golden vessels of the temple, the arms of the clerical militia with which the missiles of the most wicked are destroyed; fruitful olives, vines of Engaddi, fig-trees knowing no sterility; burning lamps to be ever held in the hand.

Richard De Bury

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

Richard De Bury

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

Richard De Bury

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

Richard De Bury

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

Richard De Bury

#6. Again, all who are smitten with the love of books think cheaply of the world and wealth; as Jerome says to Vigilantius: The same man cannot love both gold and books.

Richard De Bury

#7. Books are masters who instruct us without rods or ferules, without words or anger, without bread or money.
If you approach them, they are not asleep; If you seek them, they do not hide;
If you blunder, they do not scold; if you are ignorant, they do not laugh at you.

Richard De Bury