Sertillanges on the Intellectual Life

I’ve just starting reading a neat book that a friend clued me in to. It’s called The Intellectual Life: Its Spirit, Conditions, Methods, by A. G. Sertillanges, O.P. First published in 1920 and revised in 1934, the book is written by an accomplished Thomistic scholar as a guide for anyone who is interested in pursuing a life of learning. I’m finding that it’s chock full of good, pithy advice on how to make the most of your time and become the best scholar you can be. Here are some choice quotes from the Preface and first chapter:

Do you want to do intellectual work? Begin by creating within you a zone of silence, a habit of recollection, a will to renunciation and detachment that puts you entirely at the disposal of the work; acquire that state of soul unburdened by desire and self-will which is the state of grace of the intellectual worker. Without that you will do nothing, at least nothing worth while. (p. xviii)

Weak work or pretentious work is always bad work. A life with too ambitious an aim or one content with too low a level is a misdirected life. (pp. xxii-xxiii)

The most mediocre mind may hit on an idea, like a rough diamond or a pearl. What is difficult is the cutting of the idea, and, above all, its setting into a jewel of truth which will be the real creation. (p. xxvi)

A vocation is not fulfilled by vague reading and a few scattered writings. It requires penetration and continuity and methodical effort, so as to attain a fulness of development which will correspond to the call. (p. 3)

The life of study is austere and imposese grave obligations. It pays, it pays richly; but it exacts an intial outlay that few are capable of. The athletes of the mind, like those of the playing field, must be prepared for privations, long training, a sometimes superhuman tenacity. We must give ourselves from the heart, if truth is to give itself to us. Truth serves only its slaves. (p. 4)

Love truth and its fruits of life for yourself and for others; devote to study and to the profitable use of study the best part of your time and your heart. (p. 5)

To get something without paying for it is the universal desire; but it is the desire of cowardly hearts and weak brains. The universe does not respond to the first murmured request, and the light of God does not shine under your study lamp unless your soul asks for it with persistent effort. (p. 6)

The future is always the heir of the past; the penalty for neglecting, at the right time, to prepare it, is to live on the surface of things. Let each one think of that, while thinking may be of some avail. (p. 7)