Education Quote by Kathrine Kressmann Taylor
““Then one day the entire student body was summoned to a meeting, where we were to be addressed by Bernhard Rust, the grade-school teacher who had been named Minister of Culture and Education for Prussia. We were not invited, as had always been the custom; we were commanded to appear. I had a lecture at the same hour which I very much wished to attend, the class above all that I most enjoyed, but I decided to be prudent and go to the student body meeting. My individualism did not take the form of setting myself apart from the crowd by nonconformist action; I had no taste for notoriety and I did not see any point in encountering needless trouble.””
About This Quote
Source Short Story: "The Man Who Loved Children", 1935
The narrator chooses to attend a compulsory student meeting over a personal lecture, showing conformity and prudence rather than rebellious individualism.
In simple terms: He follows authority instead of personal desire.
Key Takeaway
Weigh duty against personal passion.
Themes
conformity
duty
personal sacrifice
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
narrative
advice
When to use this quote
- school assemblies
- career decisions
- political rallies
Key Concepts
authoritarian pressure
individualism
Questions to Reflect On
- What values guide you when duty conflicts with desire?
- How can one responsibly dissent?
A Different Perspective
Blind conformity can suppress personal growth and critical thought.
