At the beginning of his forward to A. G. Sertillanges’ The Intellectual Life: Its Spirit, Conditions, Methods, Catholic Priest and Political Philosophy Professor James V. Schall, S. J. makes mention of a letter, believed to be written by St. Thomas Aquinas to “a certain Brother John, in which are enumerated Sixteen Precepts for Acquiring the Treasure of Knowledge.”
Needless to say, Schall’s brief reference sent me on a quest for said advice, and I eventually found an original document (pub. 1944) entitled How To Study: Being The Letter of ST Thomas Aquinas To Brother John de Modo Studendi, transcribed from a lecture given by Fr. Victor White, O.P.
However, that document actually lists 12 precepts rather than 16, but seems that upon transcription some of them that were originally stated as one were instead bisected into two, converting the 12 to 15, then it also appears that many are including the last segment of the author’s salutation to Brother John as the first precept, thus making 16 total. So I’ve published that segment in red for easy identification, then listed the 15 actual precepts listed in the body of the letter (maintaining the prevailing bisections), in close consonance with the original document, which can be read here. I’ve also included some modern interpretations I’ve found online for clarity (in parentheses underneath the text).
You can also download a transcribed PDF document here.
UPDATE 6/16/24: Not only has this article risen to become the #1 most-viewed article on this entire blog, but I also recently read a passage—again in the aforementioned A. G. Sertillanges’ The Intellectual Life: Its Spirit, Conditions, Methods,—which not only references St. Thomas and his precepts for acquiring knowledge, but also the pursuit of Truth—which is one of the core tenets of this blog. So I was compelled to update the article with the new passage:
“In the organization of our life, the essential point to safeguard, in view of which all the rest is necessary, is the wise provision of solitude, exterior and interior. St. Thomas is so deeply convinced of this that of sixteen counsels to the intellectual, he devotes seven to external contacts and to the retired life.”
“The wine-cellar mentioned here [#5]. . .is the secret dwelling-place of truth, of which from afar the perfume attracts the spouse [referring to one who has wed Truth], that is the fervent soul; it is the abode of inspiration, the radiant center of enthusiasm, of genius, of invention, of ardent search; it is the scene of the activity of the mind and its wise delight. To enter into that dwelling, we must give up commonplace things; we must practice retirement, of which the monastic cell is the symbol. “In the cells, and along the great corridors,” writes Paul Adam (Dieu, p. 67), “silence is like a splendid person, clad in the whiteness of the walls, keeping watch.” What does she keep watch over, if not prayer and work?
Therefore, be slow to speak and slow to go to those places where people speak, because in many words the spirit is poured out like water; by your amiability to all, purchase the right really to frequent only a few whose society is profitable; avoid, even with these, the excessive familiarity which drags one down and away from one’s purpose; do not run after news that occupies the mind to no purpose; do no busy yourself with the sayings and doings of the world, that is with such that have no moral or intellectual bearing; avoid useless comings and goings which waste hours and fill the mind with wondering thoughts. These are the conditions of that sacred thing, quiet recollection. Only in this way does one gain access to the royal secrets which are the happiness of the Spouse [again, one who has wed Truth]; only by this mode of living does one hold oneself respectfully face to face with truth.”
And further:
“Children are taught “to give their heart to God”; the intellectual, a child in that respect, must in addition give his heart to Truth; he must remember that he is her servant, repudiate her enemies within himself, love her enemies without, so that they may return to her, and willingly accept the efforts that for the coming day Truth asks of him.”
Anyway, I hope you find the following wisdom as insightful as I did:
“Brother John, most dear to me in Christ: Since you have asked me how one should set about to acquire the treasure of knowledge, this is my advice to you concerning it: namely, that you should choose to enter, not straightway into the ocean, but by way of the little streams; for difficult things ought to be reached by way of easy ones.
The following, therefore, is my advice to you concerning your way of living:
1. I urge you to hesitate before speaking,
2. and to hesitate before visiting the common room;
(avoid places of talk/gossip)
3. Hold fast to the cleanness of your conscience;
4. Do not cease from devoting time to prayer;
5. Love your cell by making constant use of it, if you want to be admitted into the wine-cellar;
(love your home and be there often, if you wish to be inspired – see Update 6/16/24 above)
6. Show yourself to be lovable to everybody, or at least try to do so;
(be genial to all)
7. but be very familiar with nobody, for too much familiarity breeds contempt and introduces factors which retard study;
(don’t be overly friendly with others in public, it breeds contempt, and causes distraction from your work)
8. Also, do not in any way get yourself involved in the doing and sayings of outsiders;
(avoid altogether those who are toxic, materialistic, narcissistic, heartless, unethical, etc.)
9. Avoid aimless meanderings above all things;
(avoid idle conversation)
10. Do not fail to follow in the footsteps of saints and of sound men;
(avoid idle conversation)
11. Do not heed by whom a thing is said, but rather what is said you should commit to your memory;
(truth is truth regardless of who says it)
12. What you read, set about to understand,
13. verifying what is doubtful;
(research further any points that you’re unsure of)
14. Strive to put whatever you can in the cupboard of your mind, as though you were wanting to fill a vessel to the brim;
(remember any and all true and useful advice, fill your mind)
15. Seek not the things that are too high for thee.
(avoid setting unrealistic or impossible goals, thereby wasting your time in futile effort)
Follow in the footsteps of that blessed Dominic, who, while he yet had life for his fellow-traveller, brought forth and produced foliage, blossom, fruit—fruit both serviceable and astonishing—in the vineyard of the Lord of Hosts. If you shall have followed these steps, you will be able to attain to whatsoever you have a mind. Fare you well!”
(Again, a transcribed PDF document can be downloaded here)
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