Plutarch -- Morals [Moralia], “On Listening to Lectures”
The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled. Plutarch (AD 46-127) Greek historian, biographer, essayist [Mestrius Plutarchos]Morals [Moralia], “On Listening to Lectures” Alt trans.:...
View ArticleNewman, John Henry -- (Attributed)
Nothing would be done at all if a man waited until he could do something so well that no one could find fault with it. John Henry Newman (1801-1890) English prelate, Catholic Cardinal,...
View ArticleEpictetus -- The Discourses, ch. 17, “How To Apply General Principles to...
What is the first business of one who studies philosophy? To part with self-conceit. For it is impossible for any one to begin to learn what he thinks that he already knows. Epictetus (c.55-c.135)...
View ArticleForbes, Malcolm -- (Attributed)
Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one. Malcolm Forbes (1919-1990) American billionaire(Attributed)
View ArticleEmerson, Ralph Waldo -- “Old Age,” Society and Solitude (1870)
Skill to do comes of doing. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American essayist, lecturer, poet“Old Age,” Society and Solitude (1870)
View ArticleBurgh, James -- The Dignity of Human Nature, Sec. 5 “Miscellaneous Thoughts...
Wit without humanity degenerates into bitterness. Learning without prudence into pedantry. James Burgh (1714-1775) British politician and writerThe Dignity of Human Nature, Sec. 5 “Miscellaneous...
View ArticleBurgh, James -- The Dignity of Human Nature, Sec. 5 “Miscellaneous Thoughts...
Deep learning will make you acceptable to the learned; but it is only an obliging and easy behaviour, and entertaining conversation, that will make you agreeable to all companies. James Burgh...
View ArticleBurke, Edmund -- A Philosophical Inquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the...
The elevation of the mind ought to be the principal end of all our studies. Edmund Burke (1729-1797) Anglo-Irish statesman, orator, philosopherA Philosophical Inquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of...
View ArticleLeonardo da Vinci -- Note-books, 1 [tr. McCurdy (1908)]
Shun those studies in which the work that results dies with the worker. Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) Italian artist, engineer, scientistNote-books, 1 [tr. McCurdy (1908)]
View ArticleChesterfield (Lord) -- Letter to his son (11 Dec 1747)
If we do not plant it [knowledge] when young, it will give us no shade when we are old. Lord Chesterfield (1694-1773) English statesman, wit [Philip Dormer Stanhope]Letter to his son (11 Dec 1747)
View ArticlePratchett, Terry -- The Wee Free Men (2003)
“Now … if you trust in yourself …” “Yes?” “… and believe in your dreams …” “Yes?” “… and follow your star …” Miss Tick went on. “Yes?” “… you’ll still be beaten by people who spent their time working...
View ArticleMohammed -- The Sayings of Muhammed, #277 [tr. Al-Suhrawardy (1941)]
To spend more time in learning is better than spending more time in praying. Mohammed (570-632) Founder of IslamThe Sayings of Muhammed, #277 [tr. Al-Suhrawardy (1941)]
View ArticleLincoln, Abraham -- Speech on the Sub-Treasury (26 Dec 1839)
We know nothing of what will happen in future, but by the analogy of experience. Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) American lawyer, politician, US President (1861-65)Speech on the Sub-Treasury (26 Dec 1839)
View ArticleLincoln, Abraham -- Speech, Washington, DC (10 Nov 1964)
What has occurred in this case must ever recur in similar cases. Human nature will not change. In any future great national trial, compared with the men of this, we shall have as weak and as strong, as...
View ArticleHeinlein, Robert A. -- Time Enough For Love [Lazarus Long] (1973)
Most people won’t learn even by experience, Ira. Never underestimate the power of human stupidity. Robert A. Heinlein (1909-1988) American writerTime Enough For Love [Lazarus Long] (1973)
View ArticleGlass, Ira -- “This American Life,” Public Radio International (Aug 2009)
What nobody tells people who are beginners, and I really wish someone had told this to me, is that […] all of us who do creative work, we get into it, and we get into because we have good taste. […]...
View ArticleNewman, John -- (Attributed)
Another fine quotation from WIST - Wish I'd Said That! . Nothing would be done at all if a man waited until he could do something so well that no one could find fault with it.Often given as: “A man...
View ArticlePlutarch -- Morals [Moralia], “On Listening to Lectures”
The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled. Plutarch (AD 46-127) Greek historian, biographer, essayist [Mestrius Plutarchos]Morals [Moralia], “On Listening to Lectures” Alt trans.:...
View ArticleBible -- Wisdom of Solomon 6:17-20
Another fine quotation from WIST - Wish I'd Said That! . The true beginning of wisdom is the desire to learn, and a concern for learning means love towards her; the love of her means the keeping of her...
View ArticleAeschylus -- Agamemnon, ll. 175-183 [tr. Johnston (2007)]
Zeus, who guided mortals to be wise, has established his fixed law — wisdom comes through suffering. Trouble, with its memories of pain, drips in our hearts as we try to sleep, so men against their...
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