I know a good many men of great learning-that is, men born…
“I know a good many men of great learning-that is, men born with an extraordinary eagerness and capacity to acquire knowledge. One and all, they tell me that they can't recall learning anything of any value in school. All that schoolmasters managed to accomplish with them was to test and determine the amount of knowledge that they had already acquired independently-and not infrequently the determination was made clumsily and inaccurately.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Many highly intelligent people find formal schooling ineffective for gaining valuable knowledge, as it often measures what they already know rather than teaching new insights.
In simple terms: Smart people often learn little in school.
Key Takeaway
Seek learning beyond formal education.
Themes
education
intelligence
learning
criticism
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
observational
analytical
When to use this quote
- personal development
- career advancement
- self‑study
- alternative education
Key Concepts
self‑directed learning
assessment bias
knowledge acquisition
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you supplement school learning with self‑directed study?
- What alternative assessments could better gauge real knowledge?
A Different Perspective
Formal assessments may not capture true understanding or creativity.