--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is our American habit if we find the…" description: "\"It is our American habit if we find the foundations of our educational structure unsatisfactory to add another story or wing. We find it easier to add ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1e/albert-einstein-33_add_it-is-our-american-habit-if-we-find-the_692923.jpg" --- # It is our American habit if we find the foundations of our… ![“It is our American habit if we find the foundations of our educational structure unsatisfactory to add another story or wing. We find it easier to add a new study or course or kind of school than to recognize existing conditions so as to meet the need. strangled the holy curious of inquiry. It is…” quote by Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1e/albert-einstein-33_add_it-is-our-american-habit-if-we-find-the_692923.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1e/albert-einstein-33_add_it-is-our-american-habit-if-we-find-the_692923.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1e/albert-einstein-33_add_it-is-our-american-habit-if-we-find-the_692923.jpg) > “It is our American habit if we find the foundations of our educational structure unsatisfactory to add another story or wing. We find it easier to add a new study or course or kind of school than to recognize existing conditions so as to meet the need. strangled the holy curious of inquiry. It is a very grave mistake to think that the enjoyment of seeing and searching can be promoted by means of coercion and a sense of duty.” [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Expanding curricula without addressing core problems hinders true learning and curiosity. **In simple terms:** Adding courses masks deeper issues. Key Takeaway Focus on fixing foundations before expanding. Themes education curiosity reform Mood critical reflective Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - school reform - curriculum design - policy making Key Concepts systems thinking critical inquiry Questions to Reflect On - How can we assess foundational flaws before expanding? - What incentives encourage deep curiosity? A Different Perspective Adding programs alone cannot revive genuine inquiry. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Add](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/add/) [Coercion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coercion/) [Conditions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conditions/) [Courses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courses/) [Curious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curious/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Easier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easier/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Educational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/educational/) [Educational Structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/educational-structure-3657640/) [Enjoyment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enjoyment/) [Foundation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foundation/) [Foundations Educational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foundations-educational-3657642/) [Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/graves/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Holy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Inquiry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inquiry/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Searching Promoted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/searching-promoted-5502198/) [Seeing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seeing/) [Seeing Searching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seeing-searching-3292732/) [Sense Of Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sense-of-duty/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/structure/) [Study](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/study/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Wings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wings/) ## Related quotes > [It is our American habit if we find the foundations of our educational structure unsatisfactory to add another story or wing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/it-is-our-american-habit-if-we-find-the-foundations-of-our-2/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [It is, in fact, nothing short of a miracle that the modern methods of instruction have not yet entirely strangled the holy curiosity of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/it-is-in-fact-nothing-short-of-a-miracle-that-the-modern-methods-of-2/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [It is a very grave mistake to think that the enjoyment of seeing and searching can be promoted by means of coercion and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/it-is-a-very-grave-mistake-to-think-that-the-enjoyment-of-seeing-and/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [It is a very grave mistake to think that the enjoyment of seeing and searching can be promoted by means of coercion and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/it-is-a-very-grave-mistake-to-think-that-the-enjoyment-of-seeing-and-2/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“The current (educational) structure, which seeks low-cost uniformity that meets minimum standards, is killing our economy, our culture, and us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/the-current-educational-structure-which-seeks-low-cost-uniformity/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [Nothing truly valuable arises from ambition or from a mere sense of duty; it stems rather from love and devotion towards men and towards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/nothing-truly-valuable-arises-from-ambition-or-from-a-mere-sense-of/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [It's no accident that capitalism has brought with it progress, not merely in production but also in knowledge. Egoism and competition are, alas, stronger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/it-s-no-accident-that-capitalism-has-brought-with-it-progress-not/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [One had to cram all this stuff into one's mind for the examinations, whether one liked it or not. This coercion had such a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/one-had-to-cram-all-this-stuff-into-one-s-mind-for-the-examinations-2/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [An autocratic system of coercion, in my opinion, soon degenerates. For force always attracts men of low morality, and I believe it to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/an-autocratic-system-of-coercion-in-my-opinion-soon-degenerates-for-2/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“An autocratic system of coercion, in my opinion soon degenerates. For force always attract men of low morality.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/an-autocratic-system-of-coercion-in-my-opinion-soon-degenerates-for/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“feel that it had not been the most direful mistake in his plan of education. Something must have been wanting within, or time would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/feel-that-it-had-not-been-the-most-direful-mistake-in-his-plan-of/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [Courage that grows from constitution often forsakes a man when he has occasion for it; courage which arises from a sense of duty acts;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/courage-that-grows-from-constitution-often-forsakes-a-man-when-he-has/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [The enemy? His sense of duty was no less than yours, I deem. You wonder what his name is, where he came from. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/the-enemy-his-sense-of-duty-was-no-less-than-yours-i-deem-you-wonder/) [J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/) > [He gives only the worthless gold who gives from a sense of duty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/he-gives-only-the-worthless-gold-who-gives-from-a-sense-of-duty/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [I'm a strange mixture of my mother's curiosity; my father, who grew up the son of the manse in a Presbyterian family, who had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/i-m-a-strange-mixture-of-my-mother-s-curiosity-my-father-who-grew-up/) [Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/) ## More by Albert Einstein > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The faster you go, the shorter you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-faster-you-go-the-shorter-you-are/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Common sense is nothing more than a deposit of prejudices laid down in the mind before you reach eighteen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/common-sense-is-nothing-more-than-a-deposit-of-prejudices-laid-down/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The most fundamental question we can ever ask ourselves is whether or not the universe we live in is friendly or hostile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-most-fundamental-question-we-can-ever-ask-ourselves-is-whether-or/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [You imagine that I look back on my life's work with calm satisfaction. But from nearby it looks quite different. There is not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/you-imagine-that-i-look-back-on-my-life-s-work-with-calm-satisfaction/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The strongest force in the universe is Compound Interest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-strongest-force-in-the-universe-is-compound-interest/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The right to search for the truth implies also a duty; one must not conceal any part of what one has recognized to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-right-to-search-for-the-truth-implies-also-a-duty-one-must-not/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/everything-that-is-really-great-and-inspiring-is-created-by-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The world we have made is a result of the level of thinking we have done thus far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-world-we-have-made-is-a-result-of-the-level-of-thinking-we-have/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Anyone who thinks science is trying to make human life easier or more pleasant is utterly mistaken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/anyone-who-thinks-science-is-trying-to-make-human-life-easier-or-more/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Life isn't worth living, unless it is lived for someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/life-isn-t-worth-living-unless-it-is-lived-for-someone-else/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“Just because you don't believe in something doesn't mean it isn't true.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/just-because-you-don-t-believe-in-something-doesn-t-mean-it-isn-t-true/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [But there is another reason for the high repute of mathematics: it is mathematics that offers the exact natural sciences a certain measure of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/but-there-is-another-reason-for-the-high-repute-of-mathematics-it-is/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/nothing-will-benefit-human-health-and-increase-the-chances-for/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) [Explore all 2,339 Albert Einstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) ## More Add quotes > [Most marriages don't add two people together. They subtract one from the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-fleming/most-marriages-don-t-add-two-people-together-they-subtract-one-from/) [Ian Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-fleming/) > [Friendship, "the wine of life," should, like a well-stocked cellar, be continually renewed; and it is consolatory to think, that although we can seldom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-boswell/friendship-the-wine-of-life-should-like-a-well-stocked-cellar-be/) [James Boswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-boswell/) > [Life as we know it is fundamentally unsatisfying. I think most folks feel this to be true. They know that a life of aimless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-yates/life-as-we-know-it-is-fundamentally-unsatisfying-i-think-most-folks/) [Michael Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-yates/) > [Give me a platter of choice finnan haddie, freshly cooked in its bath of water and milk, add melted butter, a slice or two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-claiborne/give-me-a-platter-of-choice-finnan-haddie-freshly-cooked-in-its-bath/) [Craig Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-claiborne/) > [Writing adds up to the conscience of our times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-firrell/writing-adds-up-to-the-conscience-of-our-times/) [Martin Firrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-firrell/) > [A 'modern' man has nothing to add to modernism, if only because he has nothing to oppose it with. The well-adapted drop off the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-canetti/a-modern-man-has-nothing-to-add-to-modernism-if-only-because-he-has/) [Elias Canetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-canetti/) > [Observation and theory get on best when they are mixed together, both helping one another in the pursuit of truth. It is a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-eddington/observation-and-theory-get-on-best-when-they-are-mixed-together-both/) [Arthur Eddington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-eddington/) > [I may add that we have more than once stated our willingness to conclude nonaggression pacts with the states neighboring our own!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/i-may-add-that-we-have-more-than-once-stated-our-willingness-to/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [The American Constitution declares 'All men are born equal.' The British Socialist Party add: 'All men must be kept equal'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-american-constitution-declares-all-men-are-born-equal-the-british/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [New generations of humans inherit the acquired discoveries of generations past, allowing cosmic insight to accumulate without limit. Each discovery of science therefore adds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/new-generations-of-humans-inherit-the-acquired-discoveries-of/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [Thirty days is just about the right amount of time to add a new habit or subtract a habit - like watching the news…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-cutts/thirty-days-is-just-about-the-right-amount-of-time-to-add-a-new-habit/) [Matt Cutts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-cutts/) > [In presenting a mathematical argument the great thing is to give the educated reader the chance to catch on at once to the momentary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-edensor-littlewood/in-presenting-a-mathematical-argument-the-great-thing-is-to-give-the/) [John Edensor Littlewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-edensor-littlewood/) > [The Greeks said grandly in their tragic phrase, 'Let no one be called happy till his death;' to which I would add, 'Let no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-barrett-browning/the-greeks-said-grandly-in-their-tragic-phrase-let-no-one-be-called/) [Elizabeth Barrett Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-barrett-browning/) > [Mostly we just add to the piles of rainbow glass that's been blown off the exteriors of the cany-colored buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/mostly-we-just-add-to-the-piles-of-rainbow-glass-that-s-been-blown/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Global is a unifying bond for people. Once they get outside their own heads and their own communities and see themselves in a broader…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-calvin/global-is-a-unifying-bond-for-people-once-they-get-outside-their-own/) [Kathy Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-calvin/) [Browse all 2,710 Add quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/add/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is our American habit if we find the foundations of our educational structure unsatisfactory to add another story or wing. We find it easier to add a new study or course or kind of school than to recognize existing conditions so as to meet the need. strangled the holy curious of inquiry. 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