A learned man is a sedentary, concentrated solitary enthusiast, who searches through books to discover some particular grain of truth upon which he has set his heart. If the passion for reading conquers him, his gains dwindle and vanish between his fingers. A reader, on the other hand, must check the desire for learning at the outset; if knowledge sticks to him well and good, but to go in pursuit of it, to read on a system, to become a specialist or an authority, is very apt to kill what suits us to consider the more humane passion for pure and disinterested reading.

Summary

This quote suggests that there is a distinction between a learned man and a reader. A learned man is described as someone who is deeply engaged in solitary study, seeking a specific truth that captivates them. However, if their passion for accumulating knowledge becomes overwhelming, they may lose the value of what they acquire. On the other hand, a humble reader should contain their urge to pursue knowledge systematically. They may acquire knowledge naturally through reading for pure enjoyment and curiosity. Becoming obsessed with specialization or authority can overshadow the simple pleasure of reading.

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