Philobiblion, by Richard de Bury

Preface

Prologue

1. That the treasure of wisdom is chiefly contained in books
2. The degree of affection that is properly due to books
3. What we are to think of the price in the buying of books
4. The complaint of books against the clergy already promoted
5. The complaint of books against the possessioners
6. The complaint of books against the mendicants
7. The complaint of books against wars
8. Of the numerous opportunities we have had of collecting a store of books
9. How, although we preferred the works of the ancients, we have not condemned the studies of the moderns
10. Of the gradual perfecting of books
11. Why we have preferred books of liberal learning to books of law
12. Why we have caused books of grammar to be so diligently prepared
13. Why we have not wholly neglected the fables of the poets
14. Who ought to be special lovers of books
15. Of the advantages of the love of books
16. That it is meritorious to write new books and to renew the old
17. Of showing due propriety in the custody of books
18. Showeth that we have collected so great store of books for the common benefit of scholars and not only for our own pleasure
19. Of the manner of lending all our books to students
20. An exhortation to scholars to requite us by pious prayers