One who seeks this art should have quick understanding, good observation, dexterity of the hand, and be certain without being hasty. The latter is a good manner of getting along and it has the elegance of attracting others of grace and good character.
TAMIM IBN AL-MUIZZ IBN BADIS, CA. 1025 CE, ‘Twelfth chapter on the art of binding books in leather and the use of all its tools until it is finished by the bookbinder,’ in Mediaeval Arabic bookmaking and its relation to early chemistry and pharmacology, translated by Martin Levey, 42.
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The intelligent ones will understand this with simple directions. For others loud shouting will be necessary. Another group will need cursing but not the stick. A stick will be necessary for the last group.
AHMAD B. MUHAMMAD AL-SUFYANI, 1619 CE, ‘Art of bookbinding and of gilding,’ in Mediaeval Arabic bookmaking and its relation to early chemistry and pharmacology, translated by Martin Levey, 5.