Do not be guilty of possessing a library of learned books while… — Erasmus · Smartyfair

Leave without saving?

You have a change that hasn’t been saved yet. Clicking out of the box saves it — closing now throws that change away.

Do not be guilty of possessing a library of learned books while… — Erasmus · Smartyfair

Do not be guilty of possessing a library of learned books while lacking learning yourself.

Erasmus1466–1536 · scholar · 1400s-1500s NetherlandsErasmus was a Dutch scholar and priest during the Renaissance who became one of the most famous thinkers in Europe through his books, letters, and translations.1 quote

Source found

In plain words

Owning lots of books is not the same as reading them.

Look up a word

guilty
possessing
library
learned
books
lacking
learning

Where these words come from

How sure this is: 82% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
What turned up: Letter to Christian Northoff, 1497; Wikiquote sourced Letters section.
Sources checked: en.wikiquote.orgChecked using claude-sonnet-5, 20 August 2026Sourced Letters (1497) section

Nothing made from these words yet — Storyfaire is where they get made.

More on learning

A single conversation with a wise man is worth a month's study of books.Chinese proverb

More history

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.

Learning

Ancient

Stories

Reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body.

Joseph Addison

Books think for me.

A man ought to read just as inclination leads him; for what he reads as a task will do him little good.

One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.

Malala Yousafzai

I had now the key to all language, and I was eager to learn to use it.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

Lao Tzu

In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.

The wound is the place where the light enters you.

You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.

Marcus Aurelius

Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.

Marcus Aurelius