Date: 1746

"Books, not well digested, blot the mind"

— Ruffhead, James

Date: 1746

"So books, not well digested, blot the mind, / But make us - in search of wisdom - blind"

— Ruffhead, James

Date: 1746

Too many books, "like too much wine - intoxicate the brain"

— Ruffhead, James

Date: 1746

"To true happiness the NOUS is blind"

— Ruffhead, James

Date: 1746

The rays of beauties may "wound the bleeding heart" and make "useless the medicable art"

— Ruffhead, James

Date: 1746

"As when an inflammation pains the sight, / The tender eye can scarce endure the light," so the treacherous soul "wants a screen"

— Ruffhead, James

Date: 1746

One's sires's "great soul" may respire in one's breast

— Ruffhead, James

Date: 1746

"See other planets, suns, and systems roll, / And with celestial science-feast the soul,/ Low as the earth-ambition sinks again, / And what was thought a pleasure proves a pain."

— Ruffhead, James

Date: 1746

"As age come on, and vigorous minds decay / All pleasures sicken, satiate, die away."

— Ruffhead, James

Date: 1748

"When in the Hall of Smoke they congress hold, / And the sage berry, sun-burnt Mocha bears, / Has clear'd their inward eye: then, smoke-enroll'd, / Their oracles break forth mysterious as of old."

— Thomson, James (1700-1748)