Full Idea
What grounds could I possibly have for supposing that a person who has no acquaintance with books will never be a wise man? For wisdom does not lie in books.
Gist of Idea
Wisdom does not lie in books, and unread people can also become wise
Source
Seneca the Younger (Letters from a Stoic [c.60], 088)
Book Reference
Seneca: 'Letters from a Stoic (Selections)', ed/tr. Campbell,Robin [Penguin 1969], p.158
A Reaction
A useful warning to the likes of me, who may have retreated from the hurly-burly of the agora (see Callicles in Plato's 'Gorgias'), under the illusion that detachment is needed for wisdom. Maybe involvement is needed for wisdom.