--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Reason, if consulted with, would advise…" description: "\"Reason, if consulted with, would advise, that their children's time should be spent in acquiring what might be useful to them when they come to be men,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/john-locke-814_advise_reason-if-consulted-with-would-advise-th_984410.png" --- # Reason, if consulted with, would advise, that their… ![“Reason, if consulted with, would advise, that their children's time should be spent in acquiring what might be useful to them when they come to be men, rather than to have their heads stuff'd with a deal of trash, a great part whereof they usually never do ('tis certain they never need to) think…” quote by John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/john-locke-814_advise_reason-if-consulted-with-would-advise-th_984410.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/john-locke-814_advise_reason-if-consulted-with-would-advise-th_984410.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d9e/john-locke-814_advise_reason-if-consulted-with-would-advise-th_984410.png) > “Reason, if consulted with, would advise, that their children's time should be spent in acquiring what might be useful to them when they come to be men, rather than to have their heads stuff'd with a deal of trash, a great part whereof they usually never do ('tis certain they never need to) think on again as long as they live: and so much of it as does stick by them they are only the worse for.” [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Locke argues that education should focus on practical knowledge useful for adult life, not on trivial or harmful information that will never be needed again. **In simple terms:** Teach useful skills, avoid useless facts. Key Takeaway Prioritize practical learning. Themes education practicality lifelong learning Mood thoughtful serious Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - parenting - school curriculum - personal development - career training Key Concepts utilitarianism knowledge selection Questions to Reflect On - What knowledge do you consider truly essential? - How can we balance practicality with curiosity? A Different Perspective Practical knowledge may overlook creative or critical thinking. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advise/) [Advise Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advise-children-1344556/) [Be a man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-a-man/) [Certain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certain/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Deals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deals/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Need Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-think/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Reason Consulted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason-consulted-1974034/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Sticks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sticks/) [Stuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stuff/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Trash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trash/) ## Related quotes > [I always advise children who ask me for tips on being a writer to read as much as they possibly can. 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