Chapter XIII. Of his great love of reading the Holy Scriptures CHAPTER XIII Of his great love of reading the Holy Scriptures
(1) HIS reverend doctor was possessed by a great love of reading the Holy Scriptures, and by an untiring zeal in collecting the books of learned men rather than treasures of money,T whereof he bears witness in a letter, saying: "I am ever covetous, yea, more than covetous, of books, and if I lack them I am useless"; for although he was more learned than many doctors, he did not desire honour on that account, but he was the comforter of them that sorrowed, and ever the faithful helper of all who wished to serve God. He was instant in searching again and again the passages that he had read, and to dark sayings he gave yet more careful study so as to become continually better and more apt to take hold upon holy things. He was not ashamed to learn from younger men, nor to ask them questions, for he knew that which is written: "The declaration of Thy words giveth light, and giveth understanding to little ones"; wherefore he showed himself right easy of access and kindly to such men, and indeed chose rather to seek counsel from another, than to work out by himself many interpretations; for he said: "If a boy can teach me a fuller knowledge of the will of God, how much more gladly would I listen to him, rather than strive after some new doctrine 35 by myself and without counsel from any man."
(2) He was therefore earnest in reading the Scriptures, but was not careful to possess books beautifully adorned; the Breviary from which he read his "Hours" was of no great value since he avoided using anything that was outwardly splendid or that savoured not of simplicity: so when he saw one who had a book sumptuously ornamented, and noted how carefully the owner looked to it and turned the leaves, he said to him: "I had rather that a book were my servant, than be servant to a book; books should serve the interests of their reader's mind, not the nice taste of him who doth look at them"; for this reason the devout master gave more attention to the matter of a book than to the outward beauty of an embellished copy; so, too, the Blessed Jerome preferred to have a well corrected text, though the form of the book might be of small value, rather than a beautifully ornamented but incorrect copy. Yet it is a decent custom and to be commended as tending to the honour of God, and to the adornment of His Church which flourisheth over all the world, that the books of Holy
Scripture, and those that are used in Divine Service should be somewhat sumptuously written, and be preserved from all taint of dust and defilement. So may they minister to many that are faithful in the peace of the Catholic Faith both of this and coming generations; and may stir the dull of heart to read more earnestly; and the books shall abide long with us because they are known to have been bought at a great price, and to have been written with great labour.