To Those Who Seek Education By Neglecting Virtue

Francis was sad if learning was sought to the neglect of virtue, especially if each did not remain in the calling in which he was called from the beginning. "My brothers," he said, "who are being led by curious craving after learning will find their hand empty on the day of retribution....For retribution will come, such that books, useful for nothing, will be thrown out of windows and into cubby-holes." He did not say this because Scripture studies displeased him, but in order that he might withdraw all the brothers from a vain desire for learning and because he wanted them to be good in charity rather than superficially learned through curiosity.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
CHAPTER CXLVII