Development Quote by Michel de Montaigne
“But as Nature is the best guide, teaching must be the development of natural inclinations, for which purpose the teacher must watch his pupil and listen to him, not continually bawl words into his ears as if pouring water into a funnel. Good teaching will come from a mind well made rather than well filled.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Essays by Michel de Montaigne, 1580
Teaching should align with a student's natural interests, observing and listening rather than force‑feeding information.
In simple terms: Teach by following natural curiosity, not by imposing knowledge.
Observe and adapt to each learner.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- classroom
- tutoring
- mentorship
- homeschooling
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can teachers discover each student's innate inclinations?
- What methods foster genuine curiosity?
If a teacher ignores a pupil's interests, learning stalls.