--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The purpose of learning is growth, and…" description: "\"The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as long as we live.\" — Mortimer Adler" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/mortimer-adler-8067_education_the-purpose-of-learning-is-growth-and-ou_1400819.jpg" --- # The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike… ![“The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as long as we live.” quote by Mortimer Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/mortimer-adler-8067_education_the-purpose-of-learning-is-growth-and-ou_1400819.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/mortimer-adler-8067_education_the-purpose-of-learning-is-growth-and-ou_1400819.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/mortimer-adler-8067_education_the-purpose-of-learning-is-growth-and-ou_1400819.jpg) > “The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as long as we live.” [Mortimer Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mortimer-adler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Learning aims at personal growth; the mind can keep expanding throughout life, unlike the finite growth of the body. **In simple terms:** Learning fuels lifelong mental growth. Key Takeaway Cultivate continuous intellectual development. Themes education growth mind lifelong learning Mood motivational inspirational Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - Career advancement - Personal hobbies - Aging - Teaching Key Concepts Cognitive development Neuroplasticity Self‑improvement Questions to Reflect On - How can you nurture mental growth daily? - What habits support lifelong learning? A Different Perspective Physical limits can discourage mental pursuits. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as we continue to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mortimer-adler/the-purpose-of-learning-is-growth-and-our-minds-unlike-our-bodies-can-2/) [Mortimer Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mortimer-adler/) > [“Yeah, but most of the time I think being an adult is not all it's cracked up to be. I've always wanted to postpone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrianne-noel/yeah-but-most-of-the-time-i-think-being-an-adult-is-not-all-it-s/) Adrianne Noel > [You cant say you grew up while youre still living, cuz you will keep growing up as long theres life and everyday is concern.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaze-olamiday/you-cant-say-you-grew-up-while-youre-still-living-cuz-you-will-keep/) [Blaze Olamiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaze-olamiday/) > [Long and long has the grass been growing, Long and long has the rain been falling, Long has the globe been rolling round.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/long-and-long-has-the-grass-been-growing-long-and-long-has-the-rain/) [Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/) > [“It has been a long trip,” said Milo, climbing onto the couch where the princesses sat; “but we would have been here much sooner…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/it-has-been-a-long-trip-said-milo-climbing-onto-the-couch-where-the-2/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [“But there's so much to learn," he said, with a thoughtful frown. "Yes, that's true," admitted Rhyme; "but it's not just learning things that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/but-there-s-so-much-to-learn-he-said-with-a-thoughtful-frown-yes-that/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [The purpose of learning to employ every minute properly is to unclutter our hours, deliver us of feverish activity and earn us true leisure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-updegraff/the-purpose-of-learning-to-employ-every-minute-properly-is-to/) [Robert Updegraff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-updegraff/) > [“CRITICISM is part of LEARNING and GROWTH. It means that you are taking INITIATIVES to learn something new and grow over from your current…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanjeev-himachali/criticism-is-part-of-learning-and-growth-it-means-that-you-are-taking/) [Sanjeev Himachali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanjeev-himachali/) > [We each have two human needs: To learn and grow & to be respected, accepted and loved the way you are. Even though feedback…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-heen/we-each-have-two-human-needs-to-learn-and-grow-to-be-respected/) [Sheila Heen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-heen/) > [Do not fear the struggle.Honor it as a necessary part of learning and growth.Anticipate it and meet it with your highest self.It will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-fear-the-struggle-honor-it-as-a-necessary-part-of-learning-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Good leaders don’t just give people more work, they give them harder work—a bigger challenge that prompts deep learning and growth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-wiseman/good-leaders-don-t-just-give-people-more-work-they-give-them-harder/) [Liz Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-wiseman/) > [Gaia's main problems are not industrialization, ozone depletion, overpopulation, or resource depletion. Gaia's main problem is the lack of mutual understanding and mutual agreement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-wilber/gaia-s-main-problems-are-not-industrialization-ozone-depletion/) [Ken Wilber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-wilber/) > [If you can forgive yourself as well as others and learn from your mistakes, problems and heartaches will be stepping stones on your path…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/if-you-can-forgive-yourself-as-well-as-others-and-learn-from-your/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [“One's past can't be erased, it can only be learned from, the child taught her.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-balcomb/one-s-past-can-t-be-erased-it-can-only-be-learned-from-the-child/) [H. L. Balcomb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-balcomb/) > [Create an environment for people to fail, to learn, and to grow. Their creativity and productivity will increase.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/create-an-environment-for-people-to-fail-to-learn-and-to-grow-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Mortimer Adler > [I wonder if most people ever ask themselves why love is connected with reproduction. And if they do ask themselves about this, I wonder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mortimer-adler/i-wonder-if-most-people-ever-ask-themselves-why-love-is-connected/) [Mortimer Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mortimer-adler/) > [A good book can teach you about the world and about yourself. You learn more than how to read better; you also learn more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mortimer-adler/a-good-book-can-teach-you-about-the-world-and-about-yourself-you/) [Mortimer Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mortimer-adler/) > [We are selfish when we are exclusively or predominantly concerned with the good for ourselves. We are altruistic when we are exclusively or predominantly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mortimer-adler/we-are-selfish-when-we-are-exclusively-or-predominantly-concerned/) [Mortimer Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mortimer-adler/) > [Habits are formed by the repetition of particular acts. They are strengthened by an increase in the number of repeated acts. Habits are also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mortimer-adler/habits-are-formed-by-the-repetition-of-particular-acts-they-are/) [Mortimer Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mortimer-adler/) > [There is a strange fact about the human mind, a fact that differentiates the mind sharply from the body. 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They feel no obligation to understand what they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mortimer-adler/i-suspect-that-most-of-the-individuals-who-have-religious-faith-are-2/) [Mortimer Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mortimer-adler/) [Explore all 84 Mortimer Adler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mortimer-adler/) ## More Education quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) Ted Martinez > [“In school you are taught to obey and not to think straight for your own good. 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But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [There's no authoritarian structure at Reed College, but the education is conservative. So what you have is a lot of students who are very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/there-s-no-authoritarian-structure-at-reed-college-but-the-education/) [Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/) > [“What's the best thing about being in college? Good teachers. They inspire you, they entertain you, and you end up learning a ton even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/what-s-the-best-thing-about-being-in-college-good-teachers-they/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [“If one has not a head of steel it will burst; if he has not within it a brain of liquid quicksilver, he will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ioannes-amos-commenius/if-one-has-not-a-head-of-steel-it-will-burst-if-he-has-not-within-it/) Ioannes Amos Commenius > [“let us not teach / what we have learned badly / and not profited by”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-d-hilda-doolittle/let-us-not-teach-what-we-have-learned-badly-and-not-profited-by/) H.D. (Hilda Doolittle > [“It took me years to learn to sit at my desk for more than two minutes at a time, to put up with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/it-took-me-years-to-learn-to-sit-at-my-desk-for-more-than-two-minutes/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [According to Plato, we don't learn anything. Our soul has lived so many lives that we know everything. Teachers and education can only remind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/according-to-plato-we-don-t-learn-anything-our-soul-has-lived-so-many/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“I only began to enjoy studying after I got through the educational system and became a so-called member of society. If something interested me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-only-began-to-enjoy-studying-after-i-got-through-the-educational/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you had made the acquiring of ignorance the study of your life, you could not have graduated with higher honor than you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/if-you-had-made-the-acquiring-of-ignorance-the-study-of-your-life-you/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [How wonderful it would be, I thought, if only we could practice the teachings of the Buddha as he really taught them from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/how-wonderful-it-would-be-i-thought-if-only-we-could-practice-the/) [Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/) > [English teachers tend to put more thought in the books than the author did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/english-teachers-tend-to-put-more-thought-in-the-books-than-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When will society, like a mother, take care of all her children?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/when-will-society-like-a-mother-take-care-of-all-her-children/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) [Browse all 37,666 Education quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as long as we live.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mortimer Adler" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mortimer-adler/the-purpose-of-learning-is-growth-and-our-minds-unlike-our-bodies-can/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Education" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mortimer-adler/the-purpose-of-learning-is-growth-and-our-minds-unlike-our-bodies-can/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/mortimer-adler-8067_education_the-purpose-of-learning-is-growth-and-ou_1400819.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/mortimer-adler-8067_education_the-purpose-of-learning-is-growth-and-ou_1400819.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd6/mortimer-adler-8067_education_the-purpose-of-learning-is-growth-and-ou_1400819.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as long as we live.” — Mortimer Adler", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Mortimer Adler", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mortimer-adler/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The purpose of learning is growth,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mortimer-adler/the-purpose-of-learning-is-growth-and-our-minds-unlike-our-bodies-can/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mortimer-adler/the-purpose-of-learning-is-growth-and-our-minds-unlike-our-bodies-can/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```