The Love of Books: The Philobiblon of Richard De Bury
1902
The Love of Books: The Philobiblon of Richard De Bury
1902
Translated by Ernest Chester Thomas
Few books have been written with such unbridled devotion to the written word. Richard de Bury, Bishop of Durham and Chancellor of England, composed this treatise in the fourteenth century not as a scholarly exercise, but as an impassioned confession of his lifelong romance with books. He writes with the urgency of a man who has found something far more precious than gold: the wisdom of the ages, bound in vellum and ink. De Bury recounts his feverish efforts to acquire manuscripts across Europe, his negotiations with reluctant monks, his joy at finally possessing a long-sought text. But this is no mere collector's autobiography. It is a philosophical argument, fierce and eloquent, that wisdom embodied in books surpasses all earthly riches. He implores readers to become philobiblon, lovers of books, to collect and preserve them not as treasures to be hoarded, but as keys to moral and intellectual transformation. Nearly seven centuries later, his passion remains startlingly fresh. For anyone who has ever felt that particular thrill of holding a beloved book, this treatise feels less like a historical artifact and more like a secret shared between kindred spirits.
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“Books are masters who instruct us without rods or ferules, without words or anger, without bread or money. If you approach them, they are not asleep; If you seek them, they do not hide; If you blunder, they do not scold; if you are ignorant, they do not laugh at you.””
— Richard de Bury
“In books I meet the dead as if they were alivein books I see what is yet to come...All things decay and pass in time...All fame would fall into oblivionif God had not given mortal men the book to aid them””
— Richard de Bury
“Books appear to be the most immediate instruments of speculative delight.””
— Richard de Bury
“Again, all who are smitten with the love of books think cheaply of the world and wealth; as Jerome says to Vigilantius: The same man cannot love both gold and books.””
— Richard de Bury
“Cartile ne incanta cand belsugul ne surade si ne aduc alinare in vremile de restriste. Intaresc hotararile lumesti, sprijina orice judecata neinfricata. Mestesugurile si stiintele, ale caror virtuti greu sunt de inchipuit, tot pe carti se intemeiaza. Cat este de mareata mirabila putere a cartilor, de vreme ce printr-insele ne este noua cu putinta a intrezari hotarele cele de pe urma ale lumii si ale vremilor, cele ce se afla si cele ce nu se afla, aproape pironind cautatura in oglinda vesniciei!””
— Richard de Bury
“Come insegna Seneca ammaestrando i suoi discepoli, l'ozio senza le lettere è la morte e la tomba dell'uomo mentre ancora vive; così, per la ragione opposta, ne deduciamo che la frequentazione delle lettere e dei libri è per l'uomo la vita.””
— Richard de Bury
“A dire il vero, quei laici che guardano un libro piegandolo a rovescio, come se fosse quello il suo verso normale, sono indegni di avere contatti con libri di qualsiasi genere.””
— Richard de Bury
About The Love of Books: The Philobiblon of Richard De Bury
Chapter Summaries
- Prologue
- Richard introduces his purpose: to explain his love of books and establish a foundation for scholars. He dedicates the work to supporting poor but talented students who lack resources for education.
- 1
- Richard argues that books contain divine wisdom surpassing all earthly treasures. He presents books as vessels of eternal truth and knowledge, comparing them to biblical metaphors.
- 2
- Richard establishes that since books contain invaluable wisdom, they deserve the highest affection and priority over material wealth and worldly pleasures.
Key Themes
- The Sacred Nature of Knowledge
- Richard argues that wisdom contained in books is divine treasure, comparing books to sacred vessels and positioning learning as a form of worship and service to God.
- Preservation vs. Destruction
- The work emphasizes the fragility of knowledge and the constant threat of loss through war, neglect, and ignorance, while advocating for active preservation and copying of texts.
- Social Responsibility of Learning
- Richard presents scholarship not as personal indulgence but as duty to society, arguing that learned individuals must share knowledge and support education for the common good.
Characters
- Richard de Bury(protagonist)
- Bishop of Durham (1281-1345), passionate bibliophile and scholar who served as tutor to Prince Edward and held high offices under Edward III. The author and narrator of this treatise on the love of books.
- Edward III(major)
- King of England, former pupil of Richard de Bury. Provided patronage and opportunities for book collecting through various court appointments.
- Thomas Bradwardine(minor)
- Distinguished scholar and later Archbishop of Canterbury, one of the learned men in Richard's circle.
- Petrarch(minor)
- Famous Italian poet and scholar whom Richard met during his diplomatic mission to Avignon.
- Books (personified)(major)
- Throughout the treatise, books are personified as living entities that speak, complain, and interact with humans, serving as both subject and voice of the work.
