From as early as the twelfth century and into the eighteenth century, it was a normal practice while reading to keep a small book handy in which to write commonplaces-"sentences grave and serious," or striking, notable, or poignant passages-that one might find while reading. As opposed to a journal or a diary, a commonplace book is a collection of wisdom discovered in the world, particularly "virtuous" thoughts to share and live by. One is expected...
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Language Arts Literary Literary Criticism & Collections Literature Literature & Fiction