List of points

There is no excuse for those who could be scholars and are not.

Study. Obedience: non multa, sed multum — not many things, but well.

You pray, you deny yourself, you work in a thousand apostolic activities, but you don't study. You are useless then unless you change.

Study — professional training of whatever type it be — is a grave obligation for us.

If you are to serve God with your mind, to study is a grave obligation for you.

Books: don't buy them without advice from a Christian who is learned and prudent. It's so easy to buy something useless or harmful.

How often a man thinks he is carrying a book under his arm, and it turns out to be a load of rubbish!

Teacher: your keenness to know and practise the best method of helping your students to acquire earthly knowledge is undeniable. But don't forget that you must have the same keenness to know and practise the christian spiritual life, which is the only method of helping them and you to be better.

If you have an official position, you have also certain rights which arise from the practice of that office, and certain duties.

You stray from your apostolic way if you use the opportunity — or the excuse — offered by a work of zeal to leave the duties of your position unfulfilled. For you will lose that professional prestige which is your 'bait' as a 'fisher of men.'

Books. I put out my hand, like one of Christ's beggars, and I asked for books. Books, — that are nourishment for the Catholic, apostolic and Roman minds of many young students.

I put out my hand, like one of Christ's beggars, and each time had it brushed heedlessly aside! Why, Jesus, can people not understand the profound christian charity of this alms, more effective than a gift of the finest bread.