St. Thomas Aquinas’ advice on how to study

Among his works is found a letter he wrote to one of his friends, perhaps a novice, who had asked his advice on how to study. Below, is the letter in its entirety;

“My dearly beloved John, thou hast asked me how it behoves thee to study so as to acquire treasure of knowledge; on this subject I give thee this advice, that thou dost not choose to plunge at once into the sea, but reach it by the little streams, for it is necessary to come at the more difficult questions by means of easier ones.

This, therefore, is my advice and thy instinction: I bid you be slow to speak, and in going to the guest rooms; embrace purity of conscience, cease not to pray, love to be often in thy cell if thou wishest to be admitted in the wine cellar( of the Lord). Be agreeable to all; search not at all into the doings of others; show thyself very familiar with no one, far too great familiarity breeds contempt, and leads to the loss of much study. Do not mix up thyself with the sayings and deeds of secular persons.

Above all, fly from idle wanderings, nor cease to follow in the footsteps of good and holy men. Whatever of good thou hearest, remember it, but care not much whence it comes. Be sure to understand what thou dost hearest; make thyself certain about difficult points, and strive to lay up whatever thou canst in the storehouse of thy mind, like him who wishes to fill a vase. Run not after things above thee. Follow this advice thou wilt, during thy life, put forth and produce leaves and fruit useful in the vineyard of the Lord. If you follow these things, you will obtain what you wish.” St. Thomas Aquinas, Ora Pro Nobis.