Histories make men wise; poets, witty; the mathematics, subtile; natural philosophy, deep; morals, grave; logic and rhetoric, able to contend. BaconOf Studies.
Hæc studia adolescentiam alunt, senectutem oblectant, secundas res ornant, adversis solatium et perfugium præbent, delectant domi, non impediunt foris, pernoctant nobiscum, peregrinantur, rusticantur. These (literary) studies are the food of youth, and consolation of age; they adorn prosperity, and are the comfort and refuge of adversity; they are pleasant at home, and are no incumbrance abroad; they accompany us at night, in our travels, and in our rural retreats. CiceroOratio Pro Licinio Archia. VII.
You are in some brown study. LylyEuphues. Arbers Reprint. P. 80. (1579). The phrase is used by GreeneMenaphon. Arbers Reprint. P. 24. (1589). Also in Halliwells Reprint for the Percy Society of Manifest Detection of the use of Dice at Play. (1532).
What is the end of study? Let me know? Why, that to know, which else we should not know. Things hid and barrd, you mean, from common sense? Ay, that is studys god-like recompense. Loves Labours Lost. Act I. Sc. 1. L. 55.
Study is like the heavens glorious sun That will not be deep-searched with saucy looks; Small have continual plodders ever won, Save base authority from others books. Loves Labours Lost. Act I. Sc. 1. L. 84.
So study evermore is overshot; While it doth study to have what it would It doth forget to do the thing it should, And when it hath the thing it hunteth most, Tis won as towns with fire, so won, so lost. Loves Labours Lost. Act I. Sc. 1. L. 143.
One of the best methods of rendering study agreeable is to live with able men, and to suffer all those pangs of inferiority which the want of knowledge always inflicts. Sydney SmithSecond Lecture on the Conduct of His Understanding.