读书可以作为娱乐，作为装饰，作为能力的培养。娱乐的作用通常见于离群独处时；装饰的作用体现在高谈阔论中；至于才能，则表现在裁处事务上。

To spend too much time in studies, is sloth.

读书费时过多，无异于懒惰. (培根)

They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience: for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience.

读书弥补天性的缺陷，经验又弥补读书的不足：人的天性犹如自然的花木，需要学习予以整枝培育；读书自身无边无际，需要经验予以制约。