Bible Quote by Benjamin Rush
“The Bible, when not read in schools, is seldom read in any subsequent period of life...The Bible...should be read in our schools in preference to all other books because it contains the greatest portion of that kind of knowledge which is calculated to produce private and public happiness.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Role of the Bible in Education, 1800s
Advocates for Bible as primary school text, believing it yields moral and societal happiness.
In simple terms: Bible should be taught in schools for moral knowledge.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize biblical education for societal benefit.
Themes
religion
education
morality
public policy
Mood
controversial
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- public schools
- religious instruction
- curriculum debates
Key Concepts
biblical literacy
public happiness
educational curriculum
Questions to Reflect On
- Should public schools teach a specific religious text?
- How to balance religious education with pluralism?
A Different Perspective
May conflict with secular principles and religious diversity.
![“I do think students in public school (and private) should be required to study the Bible. [...] As a matter of pure education, it's shocking that we [the americans] are not compelled to learn the book, which is the source of our language, our common stories, our political structure, our conflicts.” quote by David Plotz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b04/david-plotz-14341_bible_i-do-think-students-in-public-school-and_134953.jpg)
![“[Why] should not the Bible regain the place it once held as a school book? Its morals are pure, its examples captivating and noble. The reverence for the Sacred Book that is thus early impressed lasts long; and probably if not impressed in infancy, never takes firm hold of the mind.” quote by Fisher Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ef1/fisher-ames-19639_bible_why-should-not-the-bible-regain-the-plac_1033233.jpg)
![“[W]here there is no law, there is no liberty; and nothing deserves the name of law but that which is certain and universal in its operation upon all the members of the community.” quote by Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b9e/benjamin-rush-9439_certain_w-here-there-is-no-law-there-is-no-liber_240226.jpg)
![“The business of education has lay[ed] the foundations for nurseries of wise and good men, to adapt our modes of teaching to the peculiar form of our government . . . . He must be taught to love his fellow creatures in every part of the world, but he must cherish with a more intense and peculiar…” quote by Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e9a/benjamin-rush-9439_affection_the-business-of-education-has-lay-ed-the_334284.jpg)
