There's more ado to interpret interpretations than to interpret things, and more books upon books than upon any other subject. We do but inter-glose ourselves. All swarmeth with commentaries; of authors there is great penury.—Montaigne.
THE ROYAL ROAD
ERASMUS. I am told there is a certain compendious art, that will help a man to accomplish himself with all the liberal sciences by a very little labour.
DESIDERIUS. What is that you talk of? Did you ever see the book?
ERASMUS. I did see it, and that was all, having nobody to instruct me in the use of it.
DESIDERIUS. What was the subject of the book?
ERASMUS. It treated of various forms of dragons, lions, leopards; and various circles, and words written in them, some in Greek, some in Latin, and some in Hebrew and other barbarous languages.
DESIDERIUS. Pray, in how many days' time did the title-page promise you the knowledge of the arts and sciences?
ERASMUS. In fourteen.
DESIDERIUS. In truth, a very noble promise. But did you ever know anybody that has become learned by that notable art?