Dog Quote by H. L. Mencken
“A professor must have a theory as a dog must have fleas.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The American Language", 1919
A professor needs a theory as a dog needs fleas—both are essential, albeit uncomfortable.
In simple terms: Professors need theories.
Key Takeaway
Embrace necessary discomfort.
Themes
education
theory
necessity
Mood
philosophical
provocative
Type
intellectual
critical
When to use this quote
- teaching
- research
- academic life
Key Concepts
academic rigor
intellectual discomfort
Questions to Reflect On
- Why are uncomfortable ideas valuable?
- How can we make theory more accessible?
A Different Perspective
Discomfort may deter some scholars.
![“By profession a biologist, [Thomas Henry Huxley] covered in fact the whole field of the exact sciences, and then bulged through its four fences. Absolutely nothing was uninteresting to him. His curiosity ranged from music to theology and from philosophy to history. He didn't simply know something…” quote by H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f46/h-l-mencken-245_absolutely-nothing_by-profession-a-biologist-thomas-henry-h_5368.jpg)
![“I don't like being away from home. That's one reason why I don't work as much as I used to [when I started my career], because so many things are on the road. I just don't want to be away from my husband, my dogs and my home. I don't sing that much any more because that also takes you on the road.” quote by Jane Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/07c/jane-powell-36243_away_i-don-t-like-being-away-from-home-that-s_278.jpg)
