Accepted Quote by Leo Strauss
“Liberal education, which consists in the constant intercourse with the greatest minds, is a training in the highest form of modesty. ... It is at the same time a training in boldness. ... It demands from us the boldness implied in the resolve to regard the accepted views as mere opinions, or to regard the average opinions as extreme opinions which are at least as likely to be wrong as the most strange or least popular opinions”
About This Quote
Source Book: Thoughts on Education, Leo Strauss, 1965
Liberal education constantly engages with great minds, teaching modesty and boldness: it challenges accepted views as mere opinions and treats average opinions as potentially extreme.
In simple terms: Education teaches humility and daring.
Key Takeaway
Embrace humility and bold critique.
Themes
education
humility
boldness
critical thinking
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- college seminars
- public debates
- academic research
Key Concepts
philosophy
history
pedagogy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can one balance humility with bold critique?
- What role does dissent play in learning?
A Different Perspective
Boldness may clash with institutional norms.
![“The emancipation of the scholars and scientists from philosophy is according to [Nietzsche] only a part of the democratic movement, i.e. of the emancipation of the low from subordination to the high. ... The plebeian character of the contemporary scholar or scientist is due to the fact that he has…” quote by Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/76a/leo-strauss-12446_character_the-emancipation-of-the-scholars-and-sci_389563.jpg)
![“We have reached a situation where a theory has been accepted as fact by some, and possible contrary evidence is shunted aside. [This is] mythology rather than science.” quote by Robert Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c31/robert-shapiro-26969_accepted_we-have-reached-a-situation-where-a-theo_19120.jpg)
