Ink and Bone (The Great Library, #1)

by Rachel Caine

Pharaoh has also heard your words regarding the unaccompanied admission of females to this sacred space of the Serapeum, and in his divine wisdom refuses this argument, for women must be instructed by the more developed minds of men to ensure they do not wrongly interpret the riches that the Library offers. For a perversion of knowledge is surely worse than a lack of it. Pharaoh and the gods will grant eternal favor and protection to this great work. A handwritten annotation to the letter, in the hand of Callimachus. His divine wisdom can kiss my common arse. We blind and hobble half of the world through such ignorance, and I will not have it. Women shall study at the Serapeum as they might be inclined. Let him execute me if he wishes, but I have seen enough of minds wasted in this world. I have a daughter. My daughter will learn.

There are three parts to learning: information, knowledge, and wisdom. A mere accumulation of information is not knowledge, and a treasure of knowledge is not, in itself, wisdom.

One can be innocent and not be ignorant, after all.”

“I suppose you want me to apologize for calling you a bastard.” “No need,” Santi said. “You should hear what his friends call him.” “I have friends?” Wolfe said. “They don’t care to admit it in public.” “Did it ever occur to you that I might not care to admit to them, either?”