In proportion to our stature and
possibilities we are hideous ignoramuses compared with the ant in
the garden path.
The education of children is regulated not by their brain
formation and possible development, but by the wealth of their
parents, the parsimony of municipalities, the baleful influences
of tradition and the colossally stupid idea that thorough brain
cultivation is in some way antagonistic to material success.
The greatness of a nation depends upon the average mental power
of the nation's citizens, and mental power depends absolutely
upon education.
The man who doubts the importance of educating his son
thoroughly--if any such man now exists--is invited to consider
the following brief statement of facts:
The holders of slaves in the Southern States and outside of
America desired to keep their slaves down. They wanted them to
be content with slavery. They wanted them and their children to
remain willing, humble, helpless machines.
THEY PUNISHED AS A CRIMINAL ANY MAN WHO TAUGHT A SLAVE TO READ.
THEY KNEW THAT SLAVERY AND EDUCATION COULD NOT LONG ENDURE IN THE
SAME HUMAN BEING. ----
The ignorant man who has succeeded through natural force and
lucky opportunity is fond of asking these questions:
"What is the good of education? Of what practical use is
scientific training?" These men are admirably answered by Herbert
Spencer, to whose work they are referred.
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