Occult Quote by Dion Fortune
““The critic of the Adepts would form a truer opinion of their attitude if he did not look upon them as guardians of a treasure, grudgingly doling it out to applicants whose rights it was impossible to ignore or defy, but rather as trainers of racehorses, patiently trying beast after beast in the hope that one may ultimately be found that will win the Grand National. The Adept who accepts an unsuitable pupil is guilty of cruelty just as much as the rider who sends a horse at a fence it cannot take.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Cosmic Doctrine by Dion Fortune, 1930
The critic should view Adepts as mentors shaping potential, not as gatekeepers of exclusive knowledge, and recognize the responsibility in choosing suitable students.
In simple terms: Treat mentors as trainers, not treasure keepers.
Key Takeaway
Choose students wisely and nurture growth.
Themes
mentorship
responsibility
potential
selection
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Education
- coaching
- talent development
- sports training
- career guidance
Key Concepts
Ethics of teaching
mentor-mentee dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you assess a pupil’s readiness?
- What safeguards can prevent mismatched mentorship?
A Different Perspective
Even the best mentors can err if they accept unfit pupils.
![“I never pretend to be so superior a being as to be above having and indulging a hobby horse [her journal writing], and while I keep mine within due bounds and limits, nobody, I flatter myself, would wish to deprive me of the poor animal: to be sure, he is not formed for labour, and is rather lame…” quote by Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d52/fanny-burney-7403_animal_i-never-pretend-to-be-so-superior-a-bein_485407.jpg)
![“Others make a point of trying to attain the precision and poise they see in those who have the ability to choose from a great number of horses those with [...] qualities found in only a very small number of horses. This leads to a circumstance in which these imitators of such studied poise mortify…” quote by Francois Robichon de La Gueriniere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/de6/francois-robichon-de-la-guerin_ability_others-make-a-point-of-trying-to-attain_804168.jpg)
![“Among the great men who have philosophized about [the action of the tides], the one who surprised me most is Kepler. He was a person of independent genius, [but he] became interested in the action of the moon on the water, and in other occult phenomena, and similar childishness.” quote by Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/96d/galileo-galilei-2377_action_among-the-great-men-who-have-philosophiz_131150.jpg)
