USE OF BOOKS by Locke

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 31, 1864

USE OF BOOKS.

By Locke

Books and reading are looked upon to be the great helps to the understanding, and instruments of knowledge, as it must be allowed that they are; and yet I beg leave to question whether these do not prove a hindrance to many, and keep several bookish men from attaining to sound and true knowledge. This I think I may be permitted to say, that there is no part wherein the understanding needs a more careful and wary conduct than in the use of books; without which they will prove rather innocent amusements than profitable employments of our time, and bring but small additions to our knowledge. [Locke.]