"The Man of much Reading and a large retentive Memory, but without Meditation, may become in the Sense of the World a knowing Man; and if he converses much with the Ancients, he may attain the Fame of Learning too: but he spends his Days afar off from Wisdom and true judgment, and possesses very little of the Substantial Riches of the Mind."
— Watts, Isaac (1674-1748)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for James Brackstone
Date
1741
Metaphor
"The Man of much Reading and a large retentive Memory, but without Meditation, may become in the Sense of the World a knowing Man; and if he converses much with the Ancients, he may attain the Fame of Learning too: but he spends his Days afar off from Wisdom and true judgment, and possesses very little of the Substantial Riches of the Mind."
Metaphor in Context
I Confess those whose reading is designed only to fit them for much Talk, and little Knowledge, may content themselves to run over their Authors in such a sudden and trifling Way ; they may devour Libraries in this Manner, yet be poor Reasoners at last, and have no solid Wisdom or true Learning. The Traveller who walks on fair and softly in a Course that points right, and examines every Turning before he ventures upon it, will come sooner and safer to his Journey's End, than he who runs through every Lane he meets, though he gallop full speed all the Day. The Man of much Reading and a large retentive Memory, but without Meditation, may become in the Sense of the World a knowing Man; and if he converses much with the Ancients, he may attain the Fame of Learning too: but he spends his Days afar off from Wisdom and true judgment, and possesses very little of the Substantial Riches of the Mind.
(p. 69)
(p. 69)
Categories
Provenance
Searching and Reading in Google Books
Citation
32 entries in ESTC (1741, 1743, 1753, 1754, 1761, 1768, 1773, 1782, 1784, 1785, 1786, 1787, 1789, 1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1798, 1799, 1800).
Most text drawn from Google Books. See The Improvement of the Mind: or, a Supplement to the Art of Logick: Containing a Variety of Remarks and Rules for the Attainment and Communication of Useful Knowledge, in Religion, in the Sciences, and in Common Life. By I. Watts, D.D. (London: Printed for James Brackstone, at the Globe in Cornhill, 1741). <Link to ESTC><Link to 2nd edition in Google Books>
Most text drawn from Google Books. See The Improvement of the Mind: or, a Supplement to the Art of Logick: Containing a Variety of Remarks and Rules for the Attainment and Communication of Useful Knowledge, in Religion, in the Sciences, and in Common Life. By I. Watts, D.D. (London: Printed for James Brackstone, at the Globe in Cornhill, 1741). <Link to ESTC><Link to 2nd edition in Google Books>
Date of Entry
02/05/2014
