--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In ancient times there was no public…" description: "\"In ancient times there was no public education, except that of the forum, the theater, and the street, and the general degree of illiteracy was very hi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c71/george-sarton-17933_alexandria_in-ancient-times-there-was-no-public-edu_1393108.jpg" --- # In ancient times there was no public education, except… ![“In ancient times there was no public education, except that of the forum, the theater, and the street, and the general degree of illiteracy was very high. The early men of science were left very much to themselves and such a phrase as "the scientific culture of Alexandria in the third century…” quote by George Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c71/george-sarton-17933_alexandria_in-ancient-times-there-was-no-public-edu_1393108.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c71/george-sarton-17933_alexandria_in-ancient-times-there-was-no-public-edu_1393108.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c71/george-sarton-17933_alexandria_in-ancient-times-there-was-no-public-edu_1393108.jpg) > “In ancient times there was no public education, except that of the forum, the theater, and the street, and the general degree of illiteracy was very high. The early men of science were left very much to themselves and such a phrase as "the scientific culture of Alexandria in the third century B.C." does not cover any reality. In a sense, this is still true today; the real pioneers are so far ahead of the crowd (even a very literate crowd) that they remain almost alone.” [George Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sarton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Historical lack of formal education meant early scientists learned independently, and modern pioneers still often work isolated from the masses. **In simple terms:** Early scientists were self‑taught; today’s innovators still stand apart. Key Takeaway Value independent learning and seek supportive peers. Themes education science innovation isolation history Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - academic research - entrepreneurship - artistic creation - community building Key Concepts self‑directed learning knowledge gaps social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How can modern institutions better support solitary innovators? - What role does community play in scientific breakthroughs? A Different Perspective Even with modern tools, isolation can hinder progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alexandria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alexandria/) [Ancient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancient/) [Ancient times](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancient-times/) [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Forums](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forums/) [Illiteracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illiteracy/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Pioneers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pioneers/) [Public education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-education/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Streets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/streets/) [Theater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theater/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) ## Related quotes > [We think that groups of between 30 and 40 early men would have settled in an area measuring a hundred square kilometers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-leakey/we-think-that-groups-of-between-30-and-40-early-men-would-have/) [Richard Leakey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-leakey/) > [Men of science have made abundant mistakes of every kind; their knowledge has improved only because of their gradual abandonment of ancient errors, poor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sarton/men-of-science-have-made-abundant-mistakes-of-every-kind-their/) [George Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sarton/) > [Published papers may omit important steps and the memory of men of science, even the greatest, is sadly fallible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-desmond-bernal/published-papers-may-omit-important-steps-and-the-memory-of-men-of/) [John Desmond Bernal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-desmond-bernal/) > [Many men of science and poets have in their own manner, by various ways and means, and aided by others, sought unceasingly to create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eyvind-johnson/many-men-of-science-and-poets-have-in-their-own-manner-by-various/) [Eyvind Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eyvind-johnson/) > [The chief difficulty which prevents men of science from believing in divine as well as in nature Spirits is their materialism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-chief-difficulty-which-prevents-men-of-science-from-believing-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It is essential for men of science to take an interest in the administration of their own affairs or else the professional civil servant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-rutherford/it-is-essential-for-men-of-science-to-take-an-interest-in-the/) [Ernest Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-rutherford/) > [There is more religion in men's science, than there is science in their religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/there-is-more-religion-in-men-s-science-than-there-is-science-in/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [As soon as you put men together, they somehow sink, corporatively, below the level of the worst of the individuals composing it. Collect scholars…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleister-crowley/as-soon-as-you-put-men-together-they-somehow-sink-corporatively-below/) [Aleister Crowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleister-crowley/) > [Perfect concordance among reformers is not to be expected; and men who are honestly struggling towards the light cannot hope to attain at one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-george-bonney/perfect-concordance-among-reformers-is-not-to-be-expected-and-men-who/) [Thomas George Bonney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-george-bonney/) > [Science has a simple faith, which transcends utility. Nearly all men of science, all men of learning for that matter, and men of simple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vannevar-bush/science-has-a-simple-faith-which-transcends-utility-nearly-all-men-of/) [Vannevar Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vannevar-bush/) > [I appeal to the contemptible speech made lately by Sir Robert Peel to an applauding House of Commons. 'Orders of merit,' said he, 'were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-joseph-griffin/i-appeal-to-the-contemptible-speech-made-lately-by-sir-robert-peel-to/) John Joseph Griffin > [The history of men of science has one peculiar advantage, as it shows the importance of little things in producing great results. Smeaton learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/the-history-of-men-of-science-has-one-peculiar-advantage-as-it-shows/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [“Mighty men of science and mighty deeds. A Newton who binds the universe together in uniform law; Lagrange, Laplace, Leibnitz with their wondrous mathematical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-william-sanderson/mighty-men-of-science-and-mighty-deeds-a-newton-who-binds-the/) Frederick William Sanderson > [Religious leaders and men of science have the same ideals; they want to understand and explain the universe of which they are part; they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-keith/religious-leaders-and-men-of-science-have-the-same-ideals-they-want/) [Arthur Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-keith/) > [This characteristic of modern experimentsthat they consist principally of measurements, is so prominent, that the opinion seems to have got abroad, that in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-clerk-maxwell/this-characteristic-of-modern-experimentsthat-they-consist/) [James Clerk Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-clerk-maxwell/) ## More by George Sarton > [A deed happens in a definite place at a definite time, but if it be sufficiently great and pregnant, its virtue radiates everywhere in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sarton/a-deed-happens-in-a-definite-place-at-a-definite-time-but-if-it-be/) [George Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sarton/) > [Men of science have made abundant mistakes of every kind; their knowledge has improved only because of their gradual abandonment of ancient errors, poor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sarton/men-of-science-have-made-abundant-mistakes-of-every-kind-their/) [George Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sarton/) > [The history of science should not be an instrument to defend any kind of social or philosophic theory; it should be used only for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sarton/the-history-of-science-should-not-be-an-instrument-to-defend-any-kind/) [George Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sarton/) > [Greek culture is pleasant to contemplate because of its great simplicity and naturalness, and because of the absence of gadgets, each of which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sarton/greek-culture-is-pleasant-to-contemplate-because-of-its-great/) [George Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sarton/) > [Some forty years of experience in my field as a scholar and as a teacher have given me great confidence mixed with greater humility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sarton/some-forty-years-of-experience-in-my-field-as-a-scholar-and-as-a/) [George Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sarton/) > [It would be foolish to give credit to Euclid for pangeometrical conceptions; the idea of geometry deifferent from the common-sense one never occurred to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sarton/it-would-be-foolish-to-give-credit-to-euclid-for-pangeometrical/) [George Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sarton/) > [The historical order is very interesting, but accidental and capricious; if we would to understand the growth of knowledge, we cannot be satisfied with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sarton/the-historical-order-is-very-interesting-but-accidental-and/) [George Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sarton/) > [The rationalism of the creative minds was tempered by abundant fantasies, and the supreme beauty of the monuments was probably spoiled by the circumambient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sarton/the-rationalism-of-the-creative-minds-was-tempered-by-abundant/) [George Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sarton/) > [If we are generous enough, we can stretch our souls everywhere and everywhen else. If we succeed in doing so, we shall discover that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sarton/if-we-are-generous-enough-we-can-stretch-our-souls-everywhere-and/) [George Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sarton/) > [The main, as well as the least obvious, achievement of the Middle Ages was the creation of the experimental spirit and this was primarily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sarton/the-main-as-well-as-the-least-obvious-achievement-of-the-middle-ages/) [George Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sarton/) > [On the basis of my historical experience, I fully believe that mathematics of the 25th century will be as different from that of today…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sarton/on-the-basis-of-my-historical-experience-i-fully-believe-that/) [George Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sarton/) > [It is childish to assume that science began in Greece; the Greek "miracle" was prepared by millenia of work in Egypt, Mesopotamia and possibly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sarton/it-is-childish-to-assume-that-science-began-in-greece-the-greek/) [George Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sarton/) > [The whole past and the whole world are alive in my heart, and I shall do my part to communicate their presence to my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sarton/the-whole-past-and-the-whole-world-are-alive-in-my-heart-and-i-shall/) [George Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sarton/) > [Wisdom is not mathematical, nor astronomical, nor zoological; when it talks too much of any one thing it ceases to be itself. There are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sarton/wisdom-is-not-mathematical-nor-astronomical-nor-zoological-when-it/) [George Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sarton/) > [We have reason to believe that when, during the crusades, Europe at last began to establish hospitals, they were inspired by the Arabs of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sarton/we-have-reason-to-believe-that-when-during-the-crusades-europe-at/) [George Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sarton/) [Explore all 36 George Sarton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sarton/) ## More Alexandria quotes > [Constantinople was the principal seat and fortress of Arianism; and, in a long interval of forty years, the faith of the princes and prelates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/constantinople-was-the-principal-seat-and-fortress-of-arianism-and-in/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [I was held in the Mazra Tora Prison for my role as leader of the pan-Islamist organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir in Alexandria.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maajid-nawaz/i-was-held-in-the-mazra-tora-prison-for-my-role-as-leader-of-the-pan/) [Maajid Nawaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maajid-nawaz/) > [“Alexandria was "the single place on earth where all the knowledge in the entire world was gathered together -- every great play and poem,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rogers/alexandria-was-the-single-place-on-earth-where-all-the-knowledge-in/) [Adam Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rogers/) > [To accept the story of the Arab destruction of the library of Alexandria, one must explain how it is that so dramatic an event…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-lewis/to-accept-the-story-of-the-arab-destruction-of-the-library-of/) [Bernard Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-lewis/) > [Even though I'm on my own, I know I'm not alone, because I know there's someone somewhere, praying that I make it home. Someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/even-though-i-m-on-my-own-i-know-i-m-not-alone-because-i-know-there-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Philo of Alexandria,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-lewis-holmes/philo-of-alexandria/) Sara Lewis Holmes > [“I'd be supper-pissed in the afterlife if I died a virgin in this crap hole.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-l-armentrout/i-d-be-supper-pissed-in-the-afterlife-if-i-died-a-virgin-in-this-crap/) [Jennifer L. Armentrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-l-armentrout/) > [“They say that Caliph Omar, when consulted about what had to be done with the library of Alexandria, answered as follows: 'If the books…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/they-say-that-caliph-omar-when-consulted-about-what-had-to-be-done/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [The George Washington Masonic National Memorial is a fitting tribute to so great a man and Mason. Its message should be as prominent in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-clausen/the-george-washington-masonic-national-memorial-is-a-fitting-tribute/) [Henry Clausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-clausen/) > [At that time the archiepiscopal throne of Alexandria was filled by Theophilus, the perpetual enemy of peace and virtue; a bold, bad man, whose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/at-that-time-the-archiepiscopal-throne-of-alexandria-was-filled-by/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [“The oranges were more plentiful than usual that year. They glowed in their arbours of burnished green leaf like lanterns, flickering up there among…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-durrell/the-oranges-were-more-plentiful-than-usual-that-year-they-glowed-in/) [Lawrence Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-durrell/) > [The valuable library of Alexandria was pillaged or destroyed; and near twenty years afterwards, the appearance of the empty shelves excited the regret and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/the-valuable-library-of-alexandria-was-pillaged-or-destroyed-and-near/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [“All was not lost when the Library at Alexandria was burned”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-wallace-maguire/all-was-not-lost-when-the-library-at-alexandria-was-burned/) Mark Wallace Maguire > [“ Euclid 's Elements has been for nearly twenty-two centuries the encouragement and guide of that scientific thought which is one thing with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kingdon-clifford/euclid-s-elements-has-been-for-nearly-twenty-two-centuries-the/) [William Kingdon Clifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kingdon-clifford/) > [“Given this appalling social climate, the new Library of Alexandria, built at a cost of $230 million in an attempt to revive its fabled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-bradley/given-this-appalling-social-climate-the-new-library-of-alexandria/) [John R. Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-bradley/) [Browse all 66 Alexandria quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alexandria/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In ancient times there was no public education, except that of the forum, the theater, and the street, and the general degree of illiteracy was very high. The early men of science were left very much to themselves and such a phrase as \"the scientific culture of Alexandria in the third century B.C.\" does not cover any reality. In a sense, this is still true today; the real pioneers are so far ahead of the crowd (even a very literate crowd) that they remain almost alone.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "George Sarton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sarton/in-ancient-times-there-was-no-public-education-except-that-of-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alexandria" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sarton/in-ancient-times-there-was-no-public-education-except-that-of-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c71/george-sarton-17933_alexandria_in-ancient-times-there-was-no-public-edu_1393108.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c71/george-sarton-17933_alexandria_in-ancient-times-there-was-no-public-edu_1393108.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c71/george-sarton-17933_alexandria_in-ancient-times-there-was-no-public-edu_1393108.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In ancient times there was no public education, except that of the forum, the theater, and the street, and…” — George Sarton", "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": "George Sarton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sarton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In ancient times there was no...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sarton/in-ancient-times-there-was-no-public-education-except-that-of-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sarton/in-ancient-times-there-was-no-public-education-except-that-of-the/#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 } } ] } ```