Bells Quote by John Taylor Gatto
“By bells and many other similar techniques they (schools) teach that nothing is worth finishing. The gross error of this is progressive: if nothing is worth finishing then by extension nothing is worth starting either. Few children are so thick-skulled they miss the point.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Underground History of American Education, 2009
The quote criticizes teaching methods that devalue completion, suggesting they undermine both starting and finishing tasks.
In simple terms: Teaching that finishing is pointless discourages effort.
Key Takeaway
Value completion to motivate beginnings.
Themes
education
motivation
learning
completion
mindset
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- school curricula
- student engagement
- project work
- personal goals
Key Concepts
Pedagogy
psychology
progressivism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does emphasizing completion affect student initiative?
- What alternatives can teach both start and finish?
A Different Perspective
If students see value in finishing, they may still fear starting.
