2 Maccabees 2:29

²⁷Even as it is no ease unto him that prepareth a banquet, and seeketh the benefit of others: yet for the pleasuring of many we will undertake gladly this great pains;

²⁸Leaving to the author the exact handling of every particular, and labouring to follow the rules of an abridgement.

— 2 Maccabees 2:29 —

³⁰To stand upon every point, and go over things at large, and to be curious in particulars, belongeth to the first author of the story:

³¹But to use brevity, and avoid much labouring of the work, is to be granted to him that will make an abridgment.