St. Thomas on how to study

From Northampton Seminarian: St. Thomas Aquinas on How to Study

"Letter of St. Thomas Aquinas to Brother John on How to Study"
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Because you have asked me, my brother John, most dear to me in Christ, how to set about acquiring the treasure of knowledge, this is the advice I pass on to you: That you should choose to enter by the small rivers, and not go right away into the sea, because you should move from easy things to difficult things.

d
Such is therefore my advice on your way of life:
+ I suggest you be slow to speak, and slow to go to the room where people chat.

+ Embrace purity of conscience; do not stop making time for prayer.
+ Love to be in your room frequently, if you wish to be led to the wine cellar.
+ Show yourself to be likable to all, or at least try; but do not show yourself as too familiar with anyone; because too much familiarity breeds contempt, and will slow you in your studies; and don't get involved in any way in the deedsand words of worldly people.
+ Above all, avoid idle conversation; do not forget to follow the steps of holy and approved men.
+ Never mind who says what, but commit to memory what is said that is true.
+ Work to understand what you read, and make yourself sure of doubtful points.
+ Put whatever you can into the cupboard of your mind as if you were trying to fill a cup.

Amazon.com: The Intellectual Life: Its Spirit, Conditions, Methods ...

PRAYER OF ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
BEFORE STUDY

O ineffable Creator,
Who, out of the treasure of Thy wisdom,
hast ordained three hierarchies of Angels,
and placed them in wonderful order above the heavens,
and hast most wisely distributed the parts of the world;
Thou, Who are called the true fountain of light and wisdom,
and the highest beginning,
vouchsafe to pour upon the darkness of my understanding,
in which I was born,
the double beam of Thy brightness,
removing from me all darkness of sin and ignorance.
Thou, Who makest eloquent the tongue of the dumb,
instruct my tongue,
and pour on my lips the grace of Thy blessing.
Give me quickness of understanding,
capacity of retaining,
subtlety of interpreting,
facility in learning,
and copious grace of speaking.
Guide my going in,
direct my going forward,
accomplish my going forth;
through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

source

In Latin