--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We wanted to raise a generation of…" description: "\"We wanted to raise a generation of heretics, but instead we raised a generation of ignoramuses\" — Berl Katznelson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1d/berl-katznelson-58499_generations_we-wanted-to-raise-a-generation-of-heret_2913686.jpg" --- # We wanted to raise a generation of heretics, but instead… ![“We wanted to raise a generation of heretics, but instead we raised a generation of ignoramuses” quote by Berl Katznelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1d/berl-katznelson-58499_generations_we-wanted-to-raise-a-generation-of-heret_2913686.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1d/berl-katznelson-58499_generations_we-wanted-to-raise-a-generation-of-heret_2913686.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1d/berl-katznelson-58499_generations_we-wanted-to-raise-a-generation-of-heret_2913686.jpg) > “We wanted to raise a generation of heretics, but instead we raised a generation of ignoramuses” [Berl Katznelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/berl-katznelson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Efforts to foster critical thinking can backfire, producing uninformed individuals instead of thoughtful rebels. **In simple terms:** Attempting to create rebels but ending up with ignorant masses. Key Takeaway Cultivate true critical thinking. Themes education culture generational change Mood cautious reflective Type philosophical warning When to use this quote - schools - political movements - families - media campaigns Key Concepts critical thinking misguided instruction Questions to Reflect On - What truly defines a critical thinker? - How to avoid creating ignorance while encouraging dissent? A Different Perspective Oversimplified rebellion can stifle depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Generation Heretics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generation-heretics-4209164/) [Generation Ignoramuses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generation-ignoramuses-4209165/) [Generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations/) [Heretic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heretic/) [Heretics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heretics/) [Heretics Instead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heretics-instead-4209166/) [Raised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/raised/) [Raised Generation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/raised-generation-4003926/) [Raises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/raises/) [Wanted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted/) ## Related quotes > [We not only grew up on Be-Bop; Be-Bop raised us. For my generation, Be-Bop came on like a light bulb going flash behind the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ishmael-reed/we-not-only-grew-up-on-be-bop-be-bop-raised-us-for-my-generation-be/) [Ishmael Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ishmael-reed/) > [I’m too young and ridiculous a person to speak for my generation, but I’d be happy to talk about my own experiences as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-rich/i-m-too-young-and-ridiculous-a-person-to-speak-for-my-generation-but/) [Simon Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-rich/) > [Heretics think false things about God and call it their faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/heretics-think-false-things-about-god-and-call-it-their-faith/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [“We owe a wealth of gratitude to the many heretics that have gone before us, those that had thought independently, and courageously, and dared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-sage-owens/we-owe-a-wealth-of-gratitude-to-the-many-heretics-that-have-gone/) [Beth Sage Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-sage-owens/) > [Many who burnt heretics in the ordinary way of their business were otherwise excellent people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-m-trevelyan/many-who-burnt-heretics-in-the-ordinary-way-of-their-business-were/) [G. M. Trevelyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-m-trevelyan/) > [Religious men are and must be heretics now- for we must not pray, except in a "form" of words, made beforehand- or think of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-nightingale/religious-men-are-and-must-be-heretics-now-for-we-must-not-pray/) [Florence Nightingale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-nightingale/) > [If we have no heretics we must invent them, for heresy is essential to health and growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yevgeny-zamyatin/if-we-have-no-heretics-we-must-invent-them-for-heresy-is-essential-to/) [Yevgeny Zamyatin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yevgeny-zamyatin/) > [I have always been on the side of the heretics, against those who burned them, because the heretics so often turned out to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/i-have-always-been-on-the-side-of-the-heretics-against-those-who/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [Those who are convinced they have a monopoly on The Truth always feel that they are only saving the world when they slaughter the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr/those-who-are-convinced-they-have-a-monopoly-on-the-truth-always-feel/) [Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr/) > [The history of creation is but a succession of battles between amateurs of genius-inspired heretics- and orthodox professionals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/the-history-of-creation-is-but-a-succession-of-battles-between/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [I myself have read the writings and teachings of the heretics, polluting my soul for a while with their abominable notions, though deriving this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eusebius/i-myself-have-read-the-writings-and-teachings-of-the-heretics/) [Eusebius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eusebius/) > [I can understand why Christians call us heretics. But most important, who will God call a heretic? From God's point of view, my revelation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-myung-moon/i-can-understand-why-christians-call-us-heretics-but-most-important/) [Sun Myung Moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-myung-moon/) > [The world is kept alive only by heretics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yevgeny-zamyatin/the-world-is-kept-alive-only-by-heretics/) [Yevgeny Zamyatin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yevgeny-zamyatin/) > [Consequently, heretics and schismatics, separated from the unity of this Body, are able to receive the same Sacrament, but with no benefit to themselves;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/consequently-heretics-and-schismatics-separated-from-the-unity-of/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [Wicked sons do not have the Holy Ghost in the same way as do beloved sons, and yet they do have Baptism. So, too,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/wicked-sons-do-not-have-the-holy-ghost-in-the-same-way-as-do-beloved/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) ## More by Berl Katznelson > [We fear not the truth, even if it be gloomy, but its counterfeit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/berl-katznelson/we-fear-not-the-truth-even-if-it-be-gloomy-but-its-counterfeit/) [Berl Katznelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/berl-katznelson/) > [Those who will find here a hold for their souls, an anvil for their hands, and vitality for their hearts, will build both their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/berl-katznelson/those-who-will-find-here-a-hold-for-their-souls-an-anvil-for-their/) [Berl Katznelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/berl-katznelson/) > [There is only a single step between impurity and purity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/berl-katznelson/there-is-only-a-single-step-between-impurity-and-purity/) [Berl Katznelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/berl-katznelson/) > [Throughout all the pain of enslavement and despotism, of inquisition, forced conversion, and massacre, the Jewish people has carried in its heart the yearning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/berl-katznelson/throughout-all-the-pain-of-enslavement-and-despotism-of-inquisition/) [Berl Katznelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/berl-katznelson/) [Explore all 5 Berl Katznelson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/berl-katznelson/) ## More Generations quotes > [I received a beautiful welcome to the world of music. I want to give something back to the younger generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luciano-pavarotti/i-received-a-beautiful-welcome-to-the-world-of-music-i-want-to-give/) [Luciano Pavarotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luciano-pavarotti/) > [“The fact that you are born means you have the potential of benefiting yourself and generations”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abegunde-sunday-o/the-fact-that-you-are-born-means-you-have-the-potential-of-benefiting/) [Abegunde Sunday O](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abegunde-sunday-o/) > [The Beat Generation, that was a vision that we had, John Clellon Holmes and I, and Allen Ginsberg in an even wilder way, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/the-beat-generation-that-was-a-vision-that-we-had-john-clellon-holmes/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [If every nation gets the government it deserves, every generation writes the history which corresponds with its view of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-janeway/if-every-nation-gets-the-government-it-deserves-every-generation/) [Elizabeth Janeway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-janeway/) > [It is worthwhile for anyone to have behind him a few generations of honest, hard-working ancestry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-worthwhile-for-anyone-to-have-behind-him-a-few-generations-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think leading by example is important, as I know the next generation is watching us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-skolnik/i-think-leading-by-example-is-important-as-i-know-the-next-generation/) [Michael Skolnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-skolnik/) > [“Will this generation be able to turn things around and learn a valuable lesson from all of this? I hope so, but I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-b-powell/will-this-generation-be-able-to-turn-things-around-and-learn-a/) [Aaron B. Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-b-powell/) > [David Cronenberg is the most provocative, original, and consistently excellent North American director of his generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-hoberman/david-cronenberg-is-the-most-provocative-original-and-consistently/) [J. Hoberman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-hoberman/) > [The Next Generation Space Telescope, which will be located much further away from the Earth than the Hubble Space Telescope presently is, will also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-nicollier/the-next-generation-space-telescope-which-will-be-located-much/) [Claude Nicollier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-nicollier/) > [The sound man, immune as to a sacrifice of straw dogs, faces the passing human generations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/the-sound-man-immune-as-to-a-sacrifice-of-straw-dogs-faces-the/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I think we've all had enough of Coltrane saxophonists. There's a case of someone ruining a generation of saxophonists, as Louis Armstrong may have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-bley/i-think-we-ve-all-had-enough-of-coltrane-saxophonists-there-s-a-case/) [Paul Bley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-bley/) > [Politics...You see, it depends on what kind of politics. What we did during my father's generation was a duty. And it was beautiful because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indira-gandhi/politics-you-see-it-depends-on-what-kind-of-politics-what-we-did/) [Indira Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indira-gandhi/) > [He removed several pages of death certificates, which were picked up by another breeze and sent into the trees. Some would fall with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/he-removed-several-pages-of-death-certificates-which-were-picked-up/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [Progress is the injustice each generation commits with regard to its predecessors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/progress-is-the-injustice-each-generation-commits-with-regard-to-its/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [Pay no heed to the passing religious vogue. Go back to the grass roots. Open your hearts and search the Scriptures. Bear your cross,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/pay-no-heed-to-the-passing-religious-vogue-go-back-to-the-grass-roots/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) [Browse all 5,661 Generations quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We wanted to raise a generation of heretics, but instead we raised a generation of ignoramuses", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Berl Katznelson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/berl-katznelson/we-wanted-to-raise-a-generation-of-heretics-but-instead-we-raised-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Generations" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/berl-katznelson/we-wanted-to-raise-a-generation-of-heretics-but-instead-we-raised-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1d/berl-katznelson-58499_generations_we-wanted-to-raise-a-generation-of-heret_2913686.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1d/berl-katznelson-58499_generations_we-wanted-to-raise-a-generation-of-heret_2913686.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1d/berl-katznelson-58499_generations_we-wanted-to-raise-a-generation-of-heret_2913686.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We wanted to raise a generation of heretics, but instead we raised a generation of ignoramuses” — Berl Katznelson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Berl Katznelson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/berl-katznelson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We wanted to raise a generation...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/berl-katznelson/we-wanted-to-raise-a-generation-of-heretics-but-instead-we-raised-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/berl-katznelson/we-wanted-to-raise-a-generation-of-heretics-but-instead-we-raised-a/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```