A little skill in antiquity inclines a man to Popery; but depth in that study brings him about again to our religion.

Thomas Fuller (1608-1661): Holy and Profane State. The True Church Antiquary.

  Of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

Old Testament: Ecclesiastes xii. 12.

  By labour and intent study (which I take to be my portion in this life), joined with the strong propensity of nature, I might perhaps leave something so written to after times as they should not willingly let it die.

John Milton (1608-1674): The Reason of Church Government. Introduction, Book ii.

  "War," says Machiavel, "ought to be the only study of a prince;" and by a prince he means every sort of state, however constituted. "He ought," says this great political doctor, "to consider peace only as a breathing-time, which gives him leisure to contrive, and furnishes ability to execute military plans." A meditation on the conduct of political societies made old Hobbes imagine that war was the state of nature.

Edmund Burke (1729-1797): A Vindication of Natural Society. Vol. i. p. 15.

  Enflamed with the study of learning and the admiration of virtue; stirred up with high hopes of living to be brave men and worthy patriots, dear to God, and famous to all ages.

John Milton (1608-1674): Tractate of Education.

  It seems to me (said she) that you are in some brown study.

John Lyly (Circa 1553-1601): Euphues, 1579 (Arber's reprint), page 80.

  Study to be quiet.

New Testament: 1 Thessalonians iv. 11.