The Intellectual Life: Its Spirit, Conditions, Methods

Sertillanges asks in the preface of the 1934 edition of The Intellectual Life: ''Do you want to do intellectual work?'' He follows with the prescription: ''Begin by creating within you a zone of silence, a habit of recollection, a will of renunciation and detachment which puts you entirely at the disposal of work; acquire that state of soul unburdened by desire and self-will which is the state of grace of the intellectual worker. Without that you will do nothing, at least nothing worth while.''

First published in 1920, this classic has been repeatedly reprinted and continues to inspire and instruct young scholars.