--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In brief, the teaching process, as…" description: "\"“In brief, the teaching process, as commonly observed, has nothing to do with the investigation and establishment of facts, assuming that actual facts ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8de/h-l-mencken-2-5374_brainwashing_in-brief-the-teaching-process-as-commonl_864379.jpg" --- # In brief, the teaching process, as commonly observed, has… ![“In brief, the teaching process, as commonly observed, has nothing to do with the investigation and establishment of facts, assuming that actual facts may ever be determined. Its sole purpose is to cram the pupils, as rapidly and as painlessly as possible, with the largest conceivable outfit of…” quote by H.L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8de/h-l-mencken-2-5374_brainwashing_in-brief-the-teaching-process-as-commonl_864379.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8de/h-l-mencken-2-5374_brainwashing_in-brief-the-teaching-process-as-commonl_864379.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8de/h-l-mencken-2-5374_brainwashing_in-brief-the-teaching-process-as-commonl_864379.jpg) > ““In brief, the teaching process, as commonly observed, has nothing to do with the investigation and establishment of facts, assuming that actual facts may ever be determined. Its sole purpose is to cram the pupils, as rapidly and as painlessly as possible, with the largest conceivable outfit of current axioms, in all departments of human thought—to make the pupil a good citizen, which is to say, a citizen differing as little as possible, in positive knowledge and habits of mind, from all other citizens. In other words, it is the mission of the pedagogue, not to make his pupils think, but to make them think right, and the more nearly his own mind pulsates with the great ebbs and flows of popular delusion and emotion, the more admirably he performs his function. He may be an ass, but this is surely no demerit in a man paid to make asses of his customers.”” [H.L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author critiques education as rote memorization of accepted ideas, discouraging independent thought and conformity to prevailing opinions. **In simple terms:** Education often forces conformity over critical thinking. Key Takeaway Encourage questioning over memorization. Themes education conformity critical thinking authority mindset Mood skeptical critical reflective Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - school curricula - teacher training - parental expectations - policy reform Key Concepts pedagogy social conditioning intellectual autonomy Questions to Reflect On - How can curricula balance knowledge acquisition with fostering independent thought? - What role should teachers play in challenging popular delusions? A Different Perspective It may overlook the need for foundational knowledge before critical inquiry. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brainwashing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brainwashing/) [Cram Pupils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cram-pupils-887779/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Education system](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education-system/) [Educational system](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/educational-system/) [Habits of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits-of-mind/) [Make Pupils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-pupils-887778/) [Mission Pedagogue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mission-pedagogue-887780/) [Public school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-school/) [Public schools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-schools/) [Pupils Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pupils-think-679232/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Teachers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teachers/) [Teaching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teaching/) [Teaching Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teaching-process-887777/) ## Related quotes > [It is the mission of the pedagogue, not to make his pupils think, but to make them think right, and the more nearly his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/it-is-the-mission-of-the-pedagogue-not-to-make-his-pupils-think-but/) [H. 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What keeps you going is your habit of doing it”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/habits-doctor/starting-something-new-requires-a-certain-amount-of-motivation-what/) [habits doctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/habits-doctor/) > [You can teach almost anyone determined to learn them the basics required to write sentences and paragraphs that say what you want them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-bernays/you-can-teach-almost-anyone-determined-to-learn-them-the-basics/) [Anne Bernays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-bernays/) > [There is not a more perilous or immoral habit of mind than the sanctifying of success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-acton/there-is-not-a-more-perilous-or-immoral-habit-of-mind-than-the/) [Lord Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-acton/) > [All acts suppose certain dispositions, and habits of mind and heart, which may be in themselves states of enjoyment or of wretchedness, and which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/all-acts-suppose-certain-dispositions-and-habits-of-mind-and-heart/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [As men's habits of mind differ, so that some more readily embrace one form of faith, some another, for what moves one to pray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baruch-spinoza/as-men-s-habits-of-mind-differ-so-that-some-more-readily-embrace-one/) [Baruch Spinoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baruch-spinoza/) ## More by H.L. 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