Being true Quote by George Bernard Shaw
“In truth , mankind cannot be saved from without, by schoolmasters or any other sort of masters: it can only be lamed and enslaved by them. It is said that if you wash a cat it will never again wash itself. This may or may not be true : what is certain is that if you teach a man anything he will never learn it; and if you cure him of a disease he will be unable to cure himself the next time it attacks him.”
About This Quote
Source Play: Man and Superman, 1905
Education can create dependence, turning learners into passive recipients rather than autonomous thinkers.
In simple terms: Teaching can create dependency.
Key Takeaway
Encourage critical thinking and self-reliance.
Themes
education
dependency
critical thinking
Mood
skeptical
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- schools
- workplaces
- parenting
- self‑learning
- policy making
Key Concepts
pedagogy
autonomy
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we foster independent learning?
- What systems reduce reliance on teachers?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on authority can stifle innovation.
