"Even in our studies, where expenditure is most worthwhile, its justification depends on its moderation. What is the point of having countless books and libraries whose titles the owner scarcely read through in his whole lifetime? The mass of books burdens the student without instructing him, and it is far better to devote yourself to a few authors than to get lost among many. Forty thousand books were burned in the library at Alexandria. Someone else can praise it as a sumptuous monument to royal wealth, like Titus Livius, who calls it a notable achievement of good taste and devotion of kings. That was not good taste or devotion but scholarly self-indulgence - in fact, not even scholarly, since they had collected the books not for scholarship but for display."

3.5 stars.