Education is not the means of showing people how to get…
“Education is not the means of showing people how to get what they want. Education is an exercise by means of which enough men, it is hoped, will learn to want what is worth having.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Education should shift from satisfying desires to shaping values and aspirations.
In simple terms: Teach values, not just skills.
Focus on cultivating worthwhile desires.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- school curricula
- parenting
- policy making
- career counseling
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can education balance desire fulfillment with value formation?
- What values should be prioritized?
May overlook individual autonomy in defining "worth".