What do you think?
Rate this book
The Philobiblon
"Will always hold an honorable place for bibliophiles." — The University of Chicago Press
One of the earliest treatises on the value of preserving neglected manuscripts, building a library, and book collecting, Richard De Bury's The Philobiblon was written in 1345 and circulated widely in manuscript form for over a century. The first printed edition appeared in Cologne in 1473, and several others soon followed as the invention of the printing press spread throughout the late Medieval world. The chapter titles of this legendary work reflect its nature, combining the author's love for and commitment to the importance of books and the knowledge they contain with thoughts on collecting them, lending them, teaching with them, and simply enjoying them: "That the Treasure of Wisdom is chiefly contained in books," "What we are to think of the price in the buying of books," "Who ought to be special lovers of books," and "Of the manner of lending all our books to students." The Prologue ends with the following thought:
"And this treatise (divided into twenty chapters) will clear the love we have had for books from the charge of excess, will expound the purpose of our intense devotion, and will narrate more clearly than light all the circumstances of our undertaking. And because it principally treats of the love of books, we have chose after the fashion of the ancient Romans fondly to name it by a Greek word, Philobiblon."
This volume offers modern bibliophiles a splendid edition of one of the first books ever to study, define, and, above all, praise their passion: the all-encompassing love of books.
One of the earliest treatises on the value of preserving neglected manuscripts, building a library, and book collecting, Richard De Bury's The Philobiblon was written in 1345 and circulated widely in manuscript form for over a century. The first printed edition appeared in Cologne in 1473, and several others soon followed as the invention of the printing press spread throughout the late Medieval world. The chapter titles of this legendary work reflect its nature, combining the author's love for and commitment to the importance of books and the knowledge they contain with thoughts on collecting them, lending them, teaching with them, and simply enjoying them: "That the Treasure of Wisdom is chiefly contained in books," "What we are to think of the price in the buying of books," "Who ought to be special lovers of books," and "Of the manner of lending all our books to students." The Prologue ends with the following thought:
"And this treatise (divided into twenty chapters) will clear the love we have had for books from the charge of excess, will expound the purpose of our intense devotion, and will narrate more clearly than light all the circumstances of our undertaking. And because it principally treats of the love of books, we have chose after the fashion of the ancient Romans fondly to name it by a Greek word, Philobiblon."
This volume offers modern bibliophiles a splendid edition of one of the first books ever to study, define, and, above all, praise their passion: the all-encompassing love of books.
80 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1344
16 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
About the author
Richard de Bury
102 books5 followersRichard de Bury (24 January 1287 – 14 April 1345), also known as Richard Aungerville or Aungervyle, was an English priest, teacher, bishop, writer, and bibliophile. He was a patron of learning and one of the first English collectors of books. He is chiefly remembered for his Philobiblon, written to inculcate in the clergy the pursuit of learning and the love of books. The "Philobiblon" is considered the earliest books to discuss librarianship in-depth.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 13, 2024
This was written by a Catholic bishop mid-fourteenth century! At that time the Christian West was still united, so all the bishops were Catholic. The description of him and his reflections on books and reading gave me the feeling that we would be kindred spirits, if perchance he lived today. However, given the time it was written and that I am a woman, I would not have been allowed to participate in his all-male book groups and discussions, nor even allowed to read this. Fortunately, I can now read his book and peek into his immense library.
For readers of all faiths or none, this is a treasure trove of books, thoughts, ideas and wisdom, as fresh in the twenty-first century as it was seven hundred years ago. Initially I put this on my books ‘read’ shelf but have moved it to my ‘open-book’ shelf because I know I’ll keep returning to it.
For readers of all faiths or none, this is a treasure trove of books, thoughts, ideas and wisdom, as fresh in the twenty-first century as it was seven hundred years ago. Initially I put this on my books ‘read’ shelf but have moved it to my ‘open-book’ shelf because I know I’ll keep returning to it.
September 14, 2020
Although written during the late Middle Ages, this book still resonates today. The author gives several brief sketches relating to book collecting in general, and also some tips about lending out books to others. Although the book has some religious undertones, it was well thought out and entertaining to read. An easy, quick, one afternoon late summer read!!
Read
September 30, 2024Короткий переказ змісту: любіть книжки, бо то - база.
У нас трактат видало Апріорі в чудовому лаконічному оформленні. Це справді колекційна книжка, нову інформацію ви тут навряд знайдете. Під час читання тільки покиваєте головою. Якість видання чудова (кажу як людина, в якої книжка намокла і встигла висохнути).
У нас трактат видало Апріорі в чудовому лаконічному оформленні. Це справді колекційна книжка, нову інформацію ви тут навряд знайдете. Під час читання тільки покиваєте головою. Якість видання чудова (кажу як людина, в якої книжка намокла і встигла висохнути).
August 1, 2010
Richard de Bury was an exuberant writer, who used the language of hellfire and damnation to express his devotion to books, especially those on science and history. The result is wonderfully entertaining, hilariously funny and, apart from the religious language (he was a bishop, after all), completely modern.
He complains about all the things that bother modern writers, book owners and booksellers: people who refuse to spend money on books; booksellers who overprice their books; “barbarous interpreters”; plagiarists; and anybody who mistreats a book. In fact, he becomes quite apoplectic at students who eat while slouched over their books; let their noses drip on to the pages; use bits of plants as bookmarks; and fall asleep over books, crumpling their pages. He even feels that it somehow damages a book to read it upside down, rather than turn it around the proper way.
There are chapters where we could believe that books are living beings tortured by those who mistreat them.
He complains about all the things that bother modern writers, book owners and booksellers: people who refuse to spend money on books; booksellers who overprice their books; “barbarous interpreters”; plagiarists; and anybody who mistreats a book. In fact, he becomes quite apoplectic at students who eat while slouched over their books; let their noses drip on to the pages; use bits of plants as bookmarks; and fall asleep over books, crumpling their pages. He even feels that it somehow damages a book to read it upside down, rather than turn it around the proper way.
There are chapters where we could believe that books are living beings tortured by those who mistreat them.
No healing drug is bound around our cruel wounds, which are so atrociously inflicted upon the innocent, and there is none to put a plaster upon our ulcers; but ragged and shivering we are flung away into dark corners, or in tears take our place with holy Job upon his dunghill, -- or too horrible to relate -- are buried in the depths of the common sewers.On the other hand, he conveys exactly why so many of us are book lovers.
Finally we must consider what pleasantness of teaching there is in books, how easy, how secret! How safely we lay bare the poverty of human ignorance to books without feeling any shame! . . . They are masters who instruct us without rod or ferule, without angry words . . . They do not chide if you make mistakes; they do not laugh at you if you are ignorant. –Philobiblon, Richard de Bury (1344)
October 9, 2022
Für bibliophile Menschen ein kleiner, charmanter Schatz im Bücherregal. Auch für das konsumkritische Lese-Gewissen eine Wohltat, wenn Richard de Bury bereits 1345 erklärt, wieso man Bücher immer kaufen soll - außer in zwei Fällen:
„Außer in der Befürchtung, vom Buchhändler betrogen zu werden, oder in der Hoffnung auf eine günstigere Gelegenheit, sollte man vor keinem Opfer zurückscheuen, Bücher zu kaufen. Wenn die Weisheit als einziger unendlicher Schatz den Büchern in den Augen der Menschen den Wert verleiht, der sich in Worten und Zahlen nicht ausdrücken läßt, wie wir ausgeführt haben, wie will man da beweisen, daß der Preis der Bücher zu hoch ist, da man doch durch ihren Besitz das höchste Glück erfährt?“
Diesem Rat folgend werde ich mir jetzt ein neues Büchlein besorgen.
„Außer in der Befürchtung, vom Buchhändler betrogen zu werden, oder in der Hoffnung auf eine günstigere Gelegenheit, sollte man vor keinem Opfer zurückscheuen, Bücher zu kaufen. Wenn die Weisheit als einziger unendlicher Schatz den Büchern in den Augen der Menschen den Wert verleiht, der sich in Worten und Zahlen nicht ausdrücken läßt, wie wir ausgeführt haben, wie will man da beweisen, daß der Preis der Bücher zu hoch ist, da man doch durch ihren Besitz das höchste Glück erfährt?“
Diesem Rat folgend werde ich mir jetzt ein neues Büchlein besorgen.
January 21, 2021
Richard de Bury, cleric and bibliophile extraordinaire, wrote a love letter to books, which meanders dangerously from an infectious and exquisite fervour, to a genuine concern he's been dry humping the library shelves.
My God does this man love books, almost as much as he loves name dropping Aristotle, hyperbole or metaphors. A lot of his phrasing is down right lovely in its passion:
Richard de Bury divides this short text into shorter arguments (with titles of outrageous length) and he manages to cover a lot in this book:
-Books are the best teachers. They don't cane you, laugh at your ignorance and are always available to give you their wisdom when asked (although curiously, de Bury also insists students should be beaten till they understand and fully appreciate books).
-de Bury demands that books should be cared for, and laments how many have been left to rot and decay. He writes this from a book's perspective with long and nigh on harrowing detail: ‘within we are devoured by the fierce gripings of our entrails, hungry worms cease not to gnaw’.
-He decries how authors are forgotten to time, that editors and interpreters butcher a work, or how the Roman's basically stole everything from the Greeks but get applauded for their plagerism: we are supposed to be from Athens, though we are now supposed to be from Rome’
-The worst thing about war is so many books are destroyed when cities burn (and, you know, people).
-He praises Arabia for preserving so much of the ancient texts, while contradictorily bitching that 'those evil Saracens have the light of the Western world in their unworthy libraries'.
-He argues fiction and fables are not low literature; they're wonderful and delightful ways of teaching moral lessons.
-'You touch the books with your filthy, unwashed hands and I will cut you'.
De Bury also shows himself to be a precursor to later literary criticism:
-He beats Alexander Pope's 'a little learning is a dangerous thing' line in An Essay on Criticism by several centuries: 'having slightly tasted of the mighty stream, they think that they have drunk it dry, though their throats are hardly moistened.’
-‘So long as the book survives, its author remains immortal and cannot die’ GNU Terry Pratchett.
-And he predates George Owell's Books Vs Cigarettes with: ‘all who are smitten with the love of books think cheaply of the world and wealth’.
However, de Bury wrote that about a hundred years before Gutenberg invented the printing press, back when books were handwritten and prohibitively expensive. And it's at this point that I stumble upon what's wrong with de Bury's loving treatise (aside from the anti-semitism and Saracen bashing): This book wasn't meant for me.
The Philobiblon is an argument why the clergy should have a greater appreciation for books, how they bring you closer to God and why the church coffers should be used to buy more books. This is not a universal fawning over literature (though it's possible to read it that way), but an ecumenical matter, and de Bury voices his views on mere plebians like myself touching the tomes with this line:
Well, fuck you too, mate. I have the last laugh of course, because I live in the internet age, and have access to more books than I can read in a life time. I have this very text on my e-reader and there's nothing the author can do about it. And my e-reader corrects itself automatically when my philistine hands hold it upside down anyway, so nyeh, de Bury.
On the note of e-books, you're far better reading this in paper text form (and you should read it despite the author's snobbishness). The Philobiblon isn't really suited for one straight read, but much better to flip and dip into, so you may enjoy the author's genuinely ecstatic and mostly pleasing words on certain topics. I would love to get a hardback version that's been fully illuminated in the Middle Season style with all the usual old manuscript images, like knights fighting giant snails, blokes with flutes up their arses and, my personal favourite, the penis tree (click here for all this and more).
The Philobiblon is a genuine joy to read. There's fiery devotion to books, there's beautiful phrasing and an excited energy that can almost become exhausting, but de Bury's love for the written word is palpable and (religion aside) many of his arguments are still relevant and important to this day.
My God does this man love books, almost as much as he loves name dropping Aristotle, hyperbole or metaphors. A lot of his phrasing is down right lovely in its passion:
All things are corrupted and decay in time […] all the glory of the world would be buried in oblivion unless God had provided mortals with the remedy of books’.
Richard de Bury divides this short text into shorter arguments (with titles of outrageous length) and he manages to cover a lot in this book:
-Books are the best teachers. They don't cane you, laugh at your ignorance and are always available to give you their wisdom when asked (although curiously, de Bury also insists students should be beaten till they understand and fully appreciate books).
-de Bury demands that books should be cared for, and laments how many have been left to rot and decay. He writes this from a book's perspective with long and nigh on harrowing detail: ‘within we are devoured by the fierce gripings of our entrails, hungry worms cease not to gnaw’.
-He decries how authors are forgotten to time, that editors and interpreters butcher a work, or how the Roman's basically stole everything from the Greeks but get applauded for their plagerism: we are supposed to be from Athens, though we are now supposed to be from Rome’
-The worst thing about war is so many books are destroyed when cities burn (and, you know, people).
-He praises Arabia for preserving so much of the ancient texts, while contradictorily bitching that 'those evil Saracens have the light of the Western world in their unworthy libraries'.
-He argues fiction and fables are not low literature; they're wonderful and delightful ways of teaching moral lessons.
-'You touch the books with your filthy, unwashed hands and I will cut you'.
De Bury also shows himself to be a precursor to later literary criticism:
-He beats Alexander Pope's 'a little learning is a dangerous thing' line in An Essay on Criticism by several centuries: 'having slightly tasted of the mighty stream, they think that they have drunk it dry, though their throats are hardly moistened.’
-‘So long as the book survives, its author remains immortal and cannot die’ GNU Terry Pratchett.
-And he predates George Owell's Books Vs Cigarettes with: ‘all who are smitten with the love of books think cheaply of the world and wealth’.
However, de Bury wrote that about a hundred years before Gutenberg invented the printing press, back when books were handwritten and prohibitively expensive. And it's at this point that I stumble upon what's wrong with de Bury's loving treatise (aside from the anti-semitism and Saracen bashing): This book wasn't meant for me.
The Philobiblon is an argument why the clergy should have a greater appreciation for books, how they bring you closer to God and why the church coffers should be used to buy more books. This is not a universal fawning over literature (though it's possible to read it that way), but an ecumenical matter, and de Bury voices his views on mere plebians like myself touching the tomes with this line:
‘the laity, who look at a book turned upside down just as if it were open in the right way, are utterly unworthy of any communion with books’.
Well, fuck you too, mate. I have the last laugh of course, because I live in the internet age, and have access to more books than I can read in a life time. I have this very text on my e-reader and there's nothing the author can do about it. And my e-reader corrects itself automatically when my philistine hands hold it upside down anyway, so nyeh, de Bury.
On the note of e-books, you're far better reading this in paper text form (and you should read it despite the author's snobbishness). The Philobiblon isn't really suited for one straight read, but much better to flip and dip into, so you may enjoy the author's genuinely ecstatic and mostly pleasing words on certain topics. I would love to get a hardback version that's been fully illuminated in the Middle Season style with all the usual old manuscript images, like knights fighting giant snails, blokes with flutes up their arses and, my personal favourite, the penis tree (click here for all this and more).
The Philobiblon is a genuine joy to read. There's fiery devotion to books, there's beautiful phrasing and an excited energy that can almost become exhausting, but de Bury's love for the written word is palpable and (religion aside) many of his arguments are still relevant and important to this day.
July 10, 2014
Cosa dire? Sicuramente Richard de Bury ama i libri, sia come veicolo di cultura sia come oggetti materiali. Trovo però difficile empatizzare con lui, dato che fin dalle prime pagine si sente in dovere di presentare le donne come le peggiori creature mai comparse sul pianeta terra.
Ci sono alcuni passaggi davvero piacevoli, dove l'amore per i libri del titolo viene esplicitato e si capisce che non si tratta di un semplice esercizio di retorica.
Bella la parte in cui l'autore se la prende con gli studenti e i chierici, e le loro manacce: ignoranti, maneggiano i libri con le dita ancora sporche dalla cena, ci mangiano sopra, scrivono nei margini o strappano le pagine, specie quelle senza testo, per usarle per altri scopi. Come lo capisco, io che odio chi semplicemente mi sottolinea a matita i libri che gli ho prestato!
Ci sono alcuni passaggi davvero piacevoli, dove l'amore per i libri del titolo viene esplicitato e si capisce che non si tratta di un semplice esercizio di retorica.
Bella la parte in cui l'autore se la prende con gli studenti e i chierici, e le loro manacce: ignoranti, maneggiano i libri con le dita ancora sporche dalla cena, ci mangiano sopra, scrivono nei margini o strappano le pagine, specie quelle senza testo, per usarle per altri scopi. Come lo capisco, io che odio chi semplicemente mi sottolinea a matita i libri che gli ho prestato!
Read
January 14, 2025«Se debe pensar cuánta comodidad de aprendizaje hay en los libros, cuán fácil, cuán arcana, cuán seguramente desnudamos, sin pena, la pobreza de la ignorancia humana delante de ellos. Estos son maestros que nos instruyen sin fusta ni vara, sin gritos ni rabia, sin querer ropa ni dinero. Si te acercas a ellos, no duermen; si buscando algo les preguntas, no lo esconden; no protestan, si te equivocas; no saben burlarse de ti, si ignoras algo».
January 13, 2022
This was a really fun read. As a bibliophile, and a Catholic, there are some jewels in this to be sure. The translation is eloquent and there are some great turns of phrase. Beyond the entertainment, I think he has a fairly sound argument for the preservation of knowledge through the written word. It's useful to keep in mind he wrote before Gutenberg changed the world forever with his new-fangled technology.
It took me a moment to realize some of the chapters are written from the perspective of "books" as an entity, critiquing various groups. Once I realize that, it was obviously a bit easier to understand.
I would definitely recommend to bibliophiles of any stripe just to be able to "nerd out" with a fellow bibliophile from centuries past.
It took me a moment to realize some of the chapters are written from the perspective of "books" as an entity, critiquing various groups. Once I realize that, it was obviously a bit easier to understand.
I would definitely recommend to bibliophiles of any stripe just to be able to "nerd out" with a fellow bibliophile from centuries past.
May 4, 2020
The first half of this little book is the most amazing rant. De Bury speaks sometimes in his own voice, sometimes in the voice of the books themselves as he lays in to people who would misuse or mistreat books. This whole section is partly constructed out of other books, mostly Biblical ones, and even those parts original to him are channelling the Psalms. He writes in prose, but it really is a poem. Parallelism abounds. He has a way with simile and metaphor that makes his subjects open up to you like strange flowers. They don’t write like this any more. I don’t think they’re allowed to.
Having got this out (mostly out) of his system he calms down a bit and gives some practical advice to other bibliophiliacs, everything from how to get books (taking them as bribes apparently – he was a bishop after all) to how to avoid lending them out too much.
This book has passion and charm and can be very funny.
Having got this out (mostly out) of his system he calms down a bit and gives some practical advice to other bibliophiliacs, everything from how to get books (taking them as bribes apparently – he was a bishop after all) to how to avoid lending them out too much.
This book has passion and charm and can be very funny.
April 1, 2016
A real fun read of a small edition of this classic book on the love of books. Penned in the 14th century by Richard de Bury, the Bishop of Durham, it talks about the joy and need of books, thoughts on maintaining an scholarly library and the proper handling of books. The author is so excited and it comes out in his writing. He beat Thomas Frognall Dibdin to the punch by almost five centuries. Right off the bat, he writes “In books I find the dead as if they were alive; in books I foresee things to come; in books warlike affairs are set forth; from books come forth the laws of peace” (p. 9). Could it be put any more succinctly?
He also discusses those who don’t see learning or books in the same light that he does. It’s amazing that seven centuries later his thoughts on human action are spot on. He cites Ovid in complaining that many people of the day are turning to making money instead of studying and making new science and philosophy (p. 67). Later, he writes “Although it is true that all men naturally desire knowledge, yet they do not all take the same pleasure in learning. On the contrary, when they have experienced the labour of study and find their sense wearied, most men inconsiderately fling away the nut, before they have broken the shell and reached the kernel” (p. 83-84).
In chapter XVII, he puts forth a wondrous, joyful set of rules for handling books. It’s still excellent advice: “that they [books] may rejoice in purity while we have them in our hands, and rest securely when they are put back in their repositories” (p. 104). In Chapter XIX, he lays out a set of rules for how to lend books out of the Oxford library, such as making a record of the item borrowed, only lending a copy outside the library if there is another copy, and regularly cataloging and reviewing its holdings.
Well worth the time to read through this short work.
He also discusses those who don’t see learning or books in the same light that he does. It’s amazing that seven centuries later his thoughts on human action are spot on. He cites Ovid in complaining that many people of the day are turning to making money instead of studying and making new science and philosophy (p. 67). Later, he writes “Although it is true that all men naturally desire knowledge, yet they do not all take the same pleasure in learning. On the contrary, when they have experienced the labour of study and find their sense wearied, most men inconsiderately fling away the nut, before they have broken the shell and reached the kernel” (p. 83-84).
In chapter XVII, he puts forth a wondrous, joyful set of rules for handling books. It’s still excellent advice: “that they [books] may rejoice in purity while we have them in our hands, and rest securely when they are put back in their repositories” (p. 104). In Chapter XIX, he lays out a set of rules for how to lend books out of the Oxford library, such as making a record of the item borrowed, only lending a copy outside the library if there is another copy, and regularly cataloging and reviewing its holdings.
Well worth the time to read through this short work.
March 17, 2008
I really wanted to love this book, but it just couldn't hold my interest.
May 14, 2025
Riccardo de Bury (1287–1345) fu un monaco benedettino, studioso, statista e bibliofilo inglese, noto soprattutto per il suo trattato "Philobiblon" (1345), un'opera che celebra l'amore per i libri e offre consigli pratici sulla loro cura. Nato nel 1287, ricoprì ruoli di prestigio sotto il re Edoardo III d'Inghilterra, tra cui Cancelliere del Regno (1329) e Vescovo di Durham (1333). Fu anche precettore del re durante la sua giovinezza, consolidando la sua influenza politica e culturale. De Bury fu un collezionista accanito, viaggiando in Europa per acquisire manoscritti rari. La sua biblioteca personale era tra le più grandi d'Inghilterra, con testi di teologia, filosofia, diritto e scienze.
Il "Philobiblon". Scritto in latino medievale e completato nel 1345 (un anno prima della sua morte), il testo è un ibrido tra un trattato morale, un manuale di bibliofilia e un'apologia della cultura scritta. Temi principali: elogio della lettura e del sapere. I libri sono "tesori dello spirito", strumenti di salvezza e ponti tra generazioni. La conoscenza libera l'uomo dall'ignoranza e lo avvicina a Dio. Conservazione dei libri: critica la negligenza di chierici e studiosi nel preservare i manoscritti. Raccomanda pratiche come proteggere i libri da umidità, polvere e danni fisici. Promuove la condivisione dei libri, condannando chi li tiene nascosti. Sottolinea l'importanza delle biblioteche come beni comuni. Attacca l'avarizia dei potenti e l'ignoranza del clero, colpevoli di trascurare i libri.
Diviso in 20 capitoli, alterna prosa lirica, argomentazioni filosofiche e istruzioni pratiche. Alcuni passaggi celebri: Capitolo 1 : I libri sono maestri che ci istruiscono senza bastone". Capitolo 17: Descrizione delle sofferenze dei libri maltrattati (metafora della loro "voce soffocata"). Capitolo 19: Esortazione a pregare per l'anima dell'autore, legando la sua eredità spirituale ai libri.
Il contesto storico-culturale. Era pre-stampa: Nel XIV secolo, i libri erano manoscritti rari e costosi, copiati da amanuensi. La cura dei testi era cruciale per la trasmissione del sapere. Crisi del Medioevo. L'opera riflette tensioni tra fede e ragione, ma anche l'emergere di un'élite intellettuale laica. Eredità e influenza. Bibliofilia moderna: Il "Philobiblon" è considerato uno dei primi testi a codificare l'amore per i libri come virtù, anticipando figure come Umberto Eco o Jorge Luis Borges. Tradotto in inglese nel XV secolo e poi in altre lingue europee, divenne un riferimento per eruditi e collezionisti.
Alcuni studiosi moderni lo accusano di ipocrisia, poiché De Bury, nonostante le sue parole, non lasciò disposizioni chiare per preservare la sua collezione, dispersa dopo la morte. L'edizione standard è curata da Michael MacLagan (1960), con note filologiche. Traduzioni italiane. Disponibili in versioni commentate, spesso con saggi sul contesto medievale. Citato in dibattiti sulla conservazione digitale e l'accesso alla cultura, il "Philobiblon" resta un simbolo della passione per il sapere scritto. De Bury utilizzò la sua posizione politica per ottenere libri, sfruttando contatti diplomatici e donazioni. Il titolo "Philobiblon" deriva dal greco ("amante dei libri"), scelta che riflette l'umanesimo incipiente del XIV secolo
Il "Philobiblon". Scritto in latino medievale e completato nel 1345 (un anno prima della sua morte), il testo è un ibrido tra un trattato morale, un manuale di bibliofilia e un'apologia della cultura scritta. Temi principali: elogio della lettura e del sapere. I libri sono "tesori dello spirito", strumenti di salvezza e ponti tra generazioni. La conoscenza libera l'uomo dall'ignoranza e lo avvicina a Dio. Conservazione dei libri: critica la negligenza di chierici e studiosi nel preservare i manoscritti. Raccomanda pratiche come proteggere i libri da umidità, polvere e danni fisici. Promuove la condivisione dei libri, condannando chi li tiene nascosti. Sottolinea l'importanza delle biblioteche come beni comuni. Attacca l'avarizia dei potenti e l'ignoranza del clero, colpevoli di trascurare i libri.
Diviso in 20 capitoli, alterna prosa lirica, argomentazioni filosofiche e istruzioni pratiche. Alcuni passaggi celebri: Capitolo 1 : I libri sono maestri che ci istruiscono senza bastone". Capitolo 17: Descrizione delle sofferenze dei libri maltrattati (metafora della loro "voce soffocata"). Capitolo 19: Esortazione a pregare per l'anima dell'autore, legando la sua eredità spirituale ai libri.
Il contesto storico-culturale. Era pre-stampa: Nel XIV secolo, i libri erano manoscritti rari e costosi, copiati da amanuensi. La cura dei testi era cruciale per la trasmissione del sapere. Crisi del Medioevo. L'opera riflette tensioni tra fede e ragione, ma anche l'emergere di un'élite intellettuale laica. Eredità e influenza. Bibliofilia moderna: Il "Philobiblon" è considerato uno dei primi testi a codificare l'amore per i libri come virtù, anticipando figure come Umberto Eco o Jorge Luis Borges. Tradotto in inglese nel XV secolo e poi in altre lingue europee, divenne un riferimento per eruditi e collezionisti.
Alcuni studiosi moderni lo accusano di ipocrisia, poiché De Bury, nonostante le sue parole, non lasciò disposizioni chiare per preservare la sua collezione, dispersa dopo la morte. L'edizione standard è curata da Michael MacLagan (1960), con note filologiche. Traduzioni italiane. Disponibili in versioni commentate, spesso con saggi sul contesto medievale. Citato in dibattiti sulla conservazione digitale e l'accesso alla cultura, il "Philobiblon" resta un simbolo della passione per il sapere scritto. De Bury utilizzò la sua posizione politica per ottenere libri, sfruttando contatti diplomatici e donazioni. Il titolo "Philobiblon" deriva dal greco ("amante dei libri"), scelta che riflette l'umanesimo incipiente del XIV secolo
November 29, 2020
If—for some bizarre reason—you make a promise to yourself to read at least one book from the 14th century, then let it be The Love of Books: The Philobiblon of Richard de Bury. This enchanting little book of twenty chapter-essays was written by a self-confessed bibliophile—a lover and, more importantly, a collector of books. Readers who are even the lightest of lightweight lovers and collectors of books, will find much that resonates with their pastime.
However, it was much more that a pastime for Richard de Bury. As teacher and priest, he finally rose to the rank of bishop, and he regarded reading and book collecting as a serious, perhaps the only way to advance knowledge and culture. Not only was he active in his mission of collecting and preserving books, it appears he recruited others to go far and wide in the same endeavor.
One reason this would have been particularly challenging is that de Bury’s book collecting predates Gutenberg’s invention of moveable type and the printing press. That means the only way to create a second copy of a book was to copy it—by hand! It is not surprising, therefore, that reading and owning books was reserved mostly for church and clergy, or for the wealthy, who, even if they could not read, owned books simply for the pleasure of possessing them.
If the book’s title leaves readers in any doubt about its content, they have only to peruse the essay titles for clarification. There are, for example, “That the Treasure of Wisdom is Chiefly Contained in Books,” “The Degree of Affection that is Properly Due to Books,” and “Of the Advantages of the Love of Books.” But de Bury’s motives were not selfish. The essay, “Showeth that we have Collected So Great Store of Books for the Common Benefit of Scholars and not for Our Own Pleasure” indicates an aspiration to endow an Oxford college with a book collection: “Now we have long cherished in our heart of hearts the fixed resolve, when Providence should grant a favorable opportunity, to found in perpetual charity a Hall in the reverend university of Oxford, the chief nursing mother of all liberal arts, and to endow it with the necessary revenues, for the maintenance of a number of scholars; and moreover to enrich the Hall with the treasures of our books…”
The essay, “Of Showing Due Propriety in the Custody of Books,” is a stern admonition to ill-treatment of books, covering every prohibition from turning down page corners, doodling in margins, and touching books without hand-washing! Finally, if 21st-century librarians want evidence of the roots of today’s lending library, they need look no further than de Bury’s essay, “Of the Manner of Lending All Our Books to Students”—a detailed, perspicuous treatise on book lending practices, many of which survive today!
Not only is The Love of Books: The Philobiblon of Richard de Bury a delightful book that can be consumed in one sitting, it has that quality that will draw readers back to its beautiful essays again and again.
However, it was much more that a pastime for Richard de Bury. As teacher and priest, he finally rose to the rank of bishop, and he regarded reading and book collecting as a serious, perhaps the only way to advance knowledge and culture. Not only was he active in his mission of collecting and preserving books, it appears he recruited others to go far and wide in the same endeavor.
One reason this would have been particularly challenging is that de Bury’s book collecting predates Gutenberg’s invention of moveable type and the printing press. That means the only way to create a second copy of a book was to copy it—by hand! It is not surprising, therefore, that reading and owning books was reserved mostly for church and clergy, or for the wealthy, who, even if they could not read, owned books simply for the pleasure of possessing them.
If the book’s title leaves readers in any doubt about its content, they have only to peruse the essay titles for clarification. There are, for example, “That the Treasure of Wisdom is Chiefly Contained in Books,” “The Degree of Affection that is Properly Due to Books,” and “Of the Advantages of the Love of Books.” But de Bury’s motives were not selfish. The essay, “Showeth that we have Collected So Great Store of Books for the Common Benefit of Scholars and not for Our Own Pleasure” indicates an aspiration to endow an Oxford college with a book collection: “Now we have long cherished in our heart of hearts the fixed resolve, when Providence should grant a favorable opportunity, to found in perpetual charity a Hall in the reverend university of Oxford, the chief nursing mother of all liberal arts, and to endow it with the necessary revenues, for the maintenance of a number of scholars; and moreover to enrich the Hall with the treasures of our books…”
The essay, “Of Showing Due Propriety in the Custody of Books,” is a stern admonition to ill-treatment of books, covering every prohibition from turning down page corners, doodling in margins, and touching books without hand-washing! Finally, if 21st-century librarians want evidence of the roots of today’s lending library, they need look no further than de Bury’s essay, “Of the Manner of Lending All Our Books to Students”—a detailed, perspicuous treatise on book lending practices, many of which survive today!
Not only is The Love of Books: The Philobiblon of Richard de Bury a delightful book that can be consumed in one sitting, it has that quality that will draw readers back to its beautiful essays again and again.
June 8, 2020
A book about the love of books from the 1300s. Written by the then Bishop of Durham and an alumnus of Oxford. While it was chiefly written to encourage other clergymen to respect, collect, and use books, it has great chapters on the care of books and of lending. In fact, Richard briefly discusses how librarianship worked at Oxford in the 14th century, which I found fascinating. It does contain a measure of religious guff, though said guff is pretty lyrical and enjoyable to read. I'll say, He does seem particularly taken with Minerva (which is one of my favourite things to see in religious works: when Christians have an obsession with various pagan gods).
June 25, 2023
This book combines two of my favorite things: Medieval literature and books about books. It is short, the writing is quite lovely and considering that it is approaching 700 years old its really a very easy read. The quote that pretty much sums up the thesis of this book is,
"In books I find the dead as if they were alive; in books I foresee things to come; in books warlike affairs are set forth; from books come forth the laws of peace. All things are corrupted and decay in time; Saturn ceases not to devour the children that he generates; all the glory of the world would be buried in oblivion, unless God had provided mortals with the remedy of books."
"In books I find the dead as if they were alive; in books I foresee things to come; in books warlike affairs are set forth; from books come forth the laws of peace. All things are corrupted and decay in time; Saturn ceases not to devour the children that he generates; all the glory of the world would be buried in oblivion, unless God had provided mortals with the remedy of books."
December 17, 2020
Para quem curte história (ou história dos livros) é ótimo, com passagens incríveis e com um legítimo escárnio aos estudantes e consulentes.
A primeira parte é em português do Brasil, a segunda diretamente em Latim para deleite daqueles que nunca se aventuraram entre as pernas de alguma donzela formosa e portanto se dedicaram ao estudo avançado deste idioma.
A primeira parte é em português do Brasil, a segunda diretamente em Latim para deleite daqueles que nunca se aventuraram entre as pernas de alguma donzela formosa e portanto se dedicaram ao estudo avançado deste idioma.
June 27, 2020
Bibliomania for antiquarian bookers
Suitable especially for those dedicated to book accumulation, collecting and reading. This version is not well edited containing many connected words. (Wordsstrung together)
Suitable especially for those dedicated to book accumulation, collecting and reading. This version is not well edited containing many connected words. (Wordsstrung together)
December 31, 2023
річард із бері дуже любить книжки, колекціонування книжок і часом читання книжок, тож пише свою книжку про те, що, по-перше, усі ці любові абсолютно нормальні, а по-друге, це він навіть не для свого задоволення все робить, а для суспільної користі. віримо, ми повірили.
November 15, 2024
El libro lo dice todo. Dirigido a los clérigos, creo que le gustará a cualquier amante de los libros.
February 18, 2015
Philobiblon (“L’amico dei libri”) è il titolo di un’operetta scritta dal vescovo e funzionario inglese Riccardo de Bury nel 1344 circa: l’argomento trattato è l’ardente amore di questo personaggio per noi oscuro per i libri, non solo di argomento sacro, ma anche profano, il suo grande impegno nello scovarne sempre di nuovi e nell’acquistarli e, aspetto interessante, la sua disponibilità a farli conoscere e circolare il più possibile (alla sua morte lascerà la sua biblioteca all’Università di Oxford).
Ho provato a iniziare a leggere il testo originale in latino, ma devo dire che non ci sono riuscita e mi sono servita della bella traduzione di Carlo Carena: i primi capitoli sono meno autobiografici, l’autore, con il solito sostegno delle citazioni dai testi biblici, dei Padri della Chiesa e di Aristotele, spiega dove risieda l’importanza dei libri, contenitori della divina Sapienza e insegnanti di virtù, quindi finge che siano i libri stessi a prendere la parola per lamentarsi del modo in cui i chierici, che pure dovrebbero essere i loro consumatori più assidui, dimentichi dei loro doveri, ignoranti e viziosi, li trascurano. Nell’introduzione è scritto che questa prima parte può sembrare meno gradevole al lettore moderno: in parte è vero, eppure per uno studioso del Medioevo è anche affascinante osservare questo metodo di ragionamento fondato sull’autorità dei testi sacri e degli antichi, che affiorano praticamente in ogni riga del testo con citazioni più o meno scoperte, ed è interessante vedere quali erano i modelli di riferimento e gli autori ritenuti imprescindibili da un uomo colto del Trecento.
Effettivamente comunque quando Riccardo de Bury inizia a parlarci della sua passione, il testo diventa più vivace e divertente: belli i pezzi in cui ci racconta che in ogni viaggio intrapreso per conto del suo re, Edoardo III d’Inghilterra, non manca mai di ritagliarsi un po’ di tempo per visitare le biblioteche monastiche o private per vedere se vi si trova qualcosa di interessante da acquistare, o quando ci dice come i suoi conoscenti abbiano ormai capito che, per fargli piacere o per farselo amico se hanno bisogno del suo intervento in qualche affare, non servano regali preziosi o denaro ma sia molto più utile donargli un libro. Quando racconta della sciatteria con cui gli studenti trattano i loro libri, sembra quasi di vederlo inorridire allo spettacolo di quello che mangia sopra il libro, di quello che gli si appoggia sopra per farsi un pisolino, di quello che ci starnutisce sopra…
Al testo dell’operetta che dà il titolo a tutto il volume segue poi una galleria di immagini, corredata da un saggio iconografico, su libri e lettori nell’arte italiana del XVI secolo. Su questa parte ho alcune perplessità: i quadri sono splendidi (stupendi, come al solito, i ritratti di L. Lotto e G.B. Moroni), ma perché mai limitarsi all’Italia, e al solo periodo rinascimentale? Visto che l’opera di de Bury che precede è di metà XIV secolo, perché non includere anche qualche esempio di pittura o miniatura medievale? Così le due parti che compongono il volume risultano abbastanza slegate l’una dall’altra. Analogamente, poi, cosa vietava di esaminare anche l’arte dei secoli successivi? Nel saggio di Novella Macola, comunque molto stimolante, è detto che è nel Cinquecento, dopo l’invenzione della stampa, che esplode la moda di farsi ritrarre con un libro in mano, ma mi sembra una giustificazione un po’ debole.
Infine, non so se sono io che becco sempre gli esemplari difettosi, ma anche qui ci sono i soliti errori, e stavolta proprio imperdonabili: passi pure per la punteggiatura spesso e volentieri errata (la solita virgola tra soggetto e predicato, che fastidio!), ma nella galleria di immagini, nella scheda n. 23 non solo manca l’ingrandimento del particolare, e che fosse previsto lo rivela la disposizione del testo, ma lo stesso testo è mutilo! “Un paio di guanti e un libro sono gli attributi di questo raffinato”, e la frase si interrompe così! Una roba tale si trova anche a p. 237, nella bibliografia, dove tutta la metà inferiore della pagina è bianca: ma si può???
3/5
http://moloch981.wordpress.com/2010/0...
Ho provato a iniziare a leggere il testo originale in latino, ma devo dire che non ci sono riuscita e mi sono servita della bella traduzione di Carlo Carena: i primi capitoli sono meno autobiografici, l’autore, con il solito sostegno delle citazioni dai testi biblici, dei Padri della Chiesa e di Aristotele, spiega dove risieda l’importanza dei libri, contenitori della divina Sapienza e insegnanti di virtù, quindi finge che siano i libri stessi a prendere la parola per lamentarsi del modo in cui i chierici, che pure dovrebbero essere i loro consumatori più assidui, dimentichi dei loro doveri, ignoranti e viziosi, li trascurano. Nell’introduzione è scritto che questa prima parte può sembrare meno gradevole al lettore moderno: in parte è vero, eppure per uno studioso del Medioevo è anche affascinante osservare questo metodo di ragionamento fondato sull’autorità dei testi sacri e degli antichi, che affiorano praticamente in ogni riga del testo con citazioni più o meno scoperte, ed è interessante vedere quali erano i modelli di riferimento e gli autori ritenuti imprescindibili da un uomo colto del Trecento.
Effettivamente comunque quando Riccardo de Bury inizia a parlarci della sua passione, il testo diventa più vivace e divertente: belli i pezzi in cui ci racconta che in ogni viaggio intrapreso per conto del suo re, Edoardo III d’Inghilterra, non manca mai di ritagliarsi un po’ di tempo per visitare le biblioteche monastiche o private per vedere se vi si trova qualcosa di interessante da acquistare, o quando ci dice come i suoi conoscenti abbiano ormai capito che, per fargli piacere o per farselo amico se hanno bisogno del suo intervento in qualche affare, non servano regali preziosi o denaro ma sia molto più utile donargli un libro. Quando racconta della sciatteria con cui gli studenti trattano i loro libri, sembra quasi di vederlo inorridire allo spettacolo di quello che mangia sopra il libro, di quello che gli si appoggia sopra per farsi un pisolino, di quello che ci starnutisce sopra…
Al testo dell’operetta che dà il titolo a tutto il volume segue poi una galleria di immagini, corredata da un saggio iconografico, su libri e lettori nell’arte italiana del XVI secolo. Su questa parte ho alcune perplessità: i quadri sono splendidi (stupendi, come al solito, i ritratti di L. Lotto e G.B. Moroni), ma perché mai limitarsi all’Italia, e al solo periodo rinascimentale? Visto che l’opera di de Bury che precede è di metà XIV secolo, perché non includere anche qualche esempio di pittura o miniatura medievale? Così le due parti che compongono il volume risultano abbastanza slegate l’una dall’altra. Analogamente, poi, cosa vietava di esaminare anche l’arte dei secoli successivi? Nel saggio di Novella Macola, comunque molto stimolante, è detto che è nel Cinquecento, dopo l’invenzione della stampa, che esplode la moda di farsi ritrarre con un libro in mano, ma mi sembra una giustificazione un po’ debole.
Infine, non so se sono io che becco sempre gli esemplari difettosi, ma anche qui ci sono i soliti errori, e stavolta proprio imperdonabili: passi pure per la punteggiatura spesso e volentieri errata (la solita virgola tra soggetto e predicato, che fastidio!), ma nella galleria di immagini, nella scheda n. 23 non solo manca l’ingrandimento del particolare, e che fosse previsto lo rivela la disposizione del testo, ma lo stesso testo è mutilo! “Un paio di guanti e un libro sono gli attributi di questo raffinato”, e la frase si interrompe così! Una roba tale si trova anche a p. 237, nella bibliografia, dove tutta la metà inferiore della pagina è bianca: ma si può???
3/5
http://moloch981.wordpress.com/2010/0...
July 7, 2017
This was just splendiferous, a testament of bibliophilia from back when they illuminated manuscripts. Which means that de Bury not only serenades books (he personifies them), but also exalts the intellectual heritage for which they stand - philosophy, in the sense of the love of (here, divine) wisdom. Which makes this that much more of an enticing read. Don't be misled by its date of composition (ca. 1344) into thinking this unengaging or remote, because it rather demonstrates that book-love is timeless and creates atmosphere over difficulty in being dated. Honestly, spend an afternoon with the Philobiblon if you might have written any of these chapters: "That the Treasure of Wisdom is Chiefly Contained in Books," "The Degree of Affection that is Properly Due to Books," "Of the Advantages of the Love of Books," "Of Showing Due Propriety in the Custody of Books."
P.S. One of the reasons I adore Goodreads is that I otherwise wouldn't have gotten here: Thomas Frognall Dibdin, Bibliomania? Or, Book-madness?! A BIBLIOGRAPHICAL ROMANCE?!
P.S. One of the reasons I adore Goodreads is that I otherwise wouldn't have gotten here: Thomas Frognall Dibdin, Bibliomania? Or, Book-madness?! A BIBLIOGRAPHICAL ROMANCE?!
January 19, 2016
Bishop Richard De Bury's mid-14th century defense of his bibliophilia expresses the overwhelming enthusiasm for books and knowledge shared by book-lovers of all eras. I found some of his Medieval Roman Catholicism to be off-putting (e.g. viewing women as nothing but evil seductresses, practically worshiping Aristotle as the source of all wisdom prior to the New Testament, placing Mary on almost the same level as God, etc.), but overall it was an enjoyable read. His flowery Medieval style occasionally came off as a bit extravagant/melodramatic, but I found it amusing rather than irritating. One of my favorite quotes that sums up the entire book: "Certes, just as we have learnt on the authority of Seneca, leisure without letters is death and the sepulture of the living, so contrariwise we conclude that occupation with letters or books is the life of man."
February 18, 2016
After reading this, I definitely feel more justified in my love for reading and collecting books :) It is heavily inundated in Christian images and comparisons, but I think you can still understand all of the arguments even if you don't understand the referenced to the Bible. The endnotes are mostly just cross-references to the Biblical allusions, but they don't offer any help in understanding them. The language is enjoyably flowery, in my opinion. I'm not sure if this text is meant to have witty undertones or be completely serious, but I got a few chuckles out of it regardless. This is definitely a worthy read if you identify as a bibliophile, though the last few chapters do drag a bit.
November 14, 2025
Insieme appassionata apologia dei libri e del sapere che racchiudono, e vivace compendio di vita e cultura trecentesche.
June 23, 2021
Suitable especially for those dedicated to book accumulation, collecting, and reading. This version is not well edited containing many connected words.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews