Children Quote by Doris Lessing
““Children should be taught about history not as is usually the case now, that this is the record of long past events, which one ought to know about for some reason or other. But that this is a story from which one may learn not only what has happened, but what may, and probably will, happen again. Literature and history, these two great branches of human learning, records of human behaviour, human thought, are less and less valued by the young, and by educators, too. Yet from them one may learn how to be a citizen and a human being. We may learn how to look at ourselves and at the society we live in, in that calm, cool, critical and sceptical way which is the only possible stance for a civilized human being, or so have said all the philosophers and the sages. But all the pressures go the other way, towards learning what is immediately useful, what is functional. More and more the demand is for people to be educated to function in an almost certainly temporary stage of technology. Educated for the short term.””
About This Quote
Studying history and literature equips us with critical, long‑term perspective, yet modern education often prioritizes short‑term utility over deep learning.
In simple terms: History teaches long‑term insight, but schools focus on short‑term utility.
Key Takeaway
Value deep learning for lasting wisdom.
Themes
education
history
critical thinking
long‑term perspective
Mood
thoughtful
concerned
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- school curricula
- career training
- public policy debates
- personal development
Key Concepts
philosophy
civic education
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we integrate deep insight with practical needs?
- What historical lesson applies today?
A Different Perspective
May overlook immediate practical skills.
