--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The purpose of education is to enable us…" description: "\"The purpose of education is to enable us to develop to the fullest that which is inside us\" — Norman Cousins" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fc/norman-cousins-2488_develop_the-purpose-of-education-is-to-enable-us_2927024.png" --- # The purpose of education is to enable us to develop to the… ![“The purpose of education is to enable us to develop to the fullest that which is inside us” quote by Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fc/norman-cousins-2488_develop_the-purpose-of-education-is-to-enable-us_2927024.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fc/norman-cousins-2488_develop_the-purpose-of-education-is-to-enable-us_2927024.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fc/norman-cousins-2488_develop_the-purpose-of-education-is-to-enable-us_2927024.png) > “The purpose of education is to enable us to develop to the fullest that which is inside us” [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Education should unlock each person's deepest potential, not just impart facts. **In simple terms:** Education unlocks inner potential. Key Takeaway Cultivate learning that nurtures inner strengths. Themes growth potential learning Mood inspirational reflective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - school curricula - personal development programs - mentorship - lifelong learning Key Concepts humanism self‑actualization Questions to Reflect On - How can curricula nurture hidden talents? - What obstacles limit personal growth? A Different Perspective May overlook systemic barriers to accessing education. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Purpose of education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose-of-education/) ## Related quotes > [The tax which will be paid for the purpose of education is not more than the thousandth part of what will be paid to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-tax-which-will-be-paid-for-the-purpose-of-education-is-not-more/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Education must enable a man to become more efficient, to achieve with increasing facility the legitimate goals of his life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/education-must-enable-a-man-to-become-more-efficient-to-achieve-with/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/education-must-enable-one-to-sift-and-weigh-evidence-to-discern-the/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Beyond work and love, I would add two other ingredients that give meaning to life. First, to fulfill whatever talents we are born with.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michio-kaku/beyond-work-and-love-i-would-add-two-other-ingredients-that-give/) [Michio Kaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michio-kaku/) > [The purpose of education is not to fill a vessel but to kindle a flame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/the-purpose-of-education-is-not-to-fill-a-vessel-but-to-kindle-a-flame/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [The true purpose of education is to teach a man to carry himself triumphant to the sunset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liberty-hyde-bailey/the-true-purpose-of-education-is-to-teach-a-man-to-carry-himself/) [Liberty Hyde Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liberty-hyde-bailey/) > [There is no purpose of education; if your heart cannot be lightened by it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asif-z-warsi/there-is-no-purpose-of-education-if-your-heart-cannot-be-lightened-by/) [Asif Z Warsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asif-z-warsi/) > [The purpose of education is to free the student from the tyranny of the present.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/the-purpose-of-education-is-to-free-the-student-from-the-tyranny-of/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [It must be remembered that the purpose of education is not to fill the minds of students with facts... it is to teach them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-must-be-remembered-that-the-purpose-of-education-is-not-to-fill/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The real purpose of education in a person's life should be able to make him transform his envy into admiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/the-real-purpose-of-education-in-a-person-s-life-should-be-able-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [“The reformers define the purpose of education as preparation for global competitiveness, higher education, or the workforce. They view students as “human capital” or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ravitch/the-reformers-define-the-purpose-of-education-as-preparation-for/) [Diane Ravitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ravitch/) > [The only purpose of education is freedom; the only method is experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/the-only-purpose-of-education-is-freedom-the-only-method-is-experience/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [There is a myth that the purpose of education is to give one the means for upward mobility and success. The plain truth is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-orr/there-is-a-myth-that-the-purpose-of-education-is-to-give-one-the/) [David W. Orr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-orr/) > [The true purpose of education is to prepare young men and women for effective citizenship in a free form of government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/the-true-purpose-of-education-is-to-prepare-young-men-and-women-for/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [Without an integrated understanding of life, our individual and collective problems will only deepen and extend. The purpose of education isn't to produce mere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/without-an-integrated-understanding-of-life-our-individual-and/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) ## More by Norman Cousins > [The poet reminds men of their uniqueness and it is not necessary to possess the ultimate definition of this uniqueness. Even to speculate is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-poet-reminds-men-of-their-uniqueness-and-it-is-not-necessary-to/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [Unobstructed access to facts can produce unlimited good only if it is matched by the desire and ability to find out what they mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/unobstructed-access-to-facts-can-produce-unlimited-good-only-if-it-is/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [What was significant about the laughter . . . was not just the fact that it provides internal exercise for a person . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/what-was-significant-about-the-laughter-was-not-just-the-fact-that-it/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [You are younger today than you will ever be again. Make use of it for the sake of tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/you-are-younger-today-than-you-will-ever-be-again-make-use-of-it-for/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [On the quality of life: #1. Realize that each human being has a built-in capacity for recuperation and repair. #2. Recognize that the quality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/on-the-quality-of-life-1-realize-that-each-human-being-has-a-built-in/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [What a man really says when he says that someone else can be persuaded by force, is that he himself is incapable of more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/what-a-man-really-says-when-he-says-that-someone-else-can-be/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [The starting point for a better world is the belief that it is possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-starting-point-for-a-better-world-is-the-belief-that-it-is/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [The physician knows that his little black bag can carry him only so far and that the body's own healing system is the main…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-physician-knows-that-his-little-black-bag-can-carry-him-only-so/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [We are wide-eyed in contemplating the possibility that life may exist elsewhere in the universe, but we wear blinders when contemplating the possibilities of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/we-are-wide-eyed-in-contemplating-the-possibility-that-life-may-exist/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [The essence of man is imperfection. Failure is simply a price we pay to achieve success. If we learn to embrace that new definition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-essence-of-man-is-imperfection-failure-is-simply-a-price-we-pay/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [My reason nourishes my faith and my faith my reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/my-reason-nourishes-my-faith-and-my-faith-my-reason/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [The growth of the human mind is still high adventure, in many ways the highest adventure on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-growth-of-the-human-mind-is-still-high-adventure-in-many-ways-the/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [Death is not the enemy; living in constant fear of it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/death-is-not-the-enemy-living-in-constant-fear-of-it-is/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [All this sensory input, which begins in the brain, has its effect throughout the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/all-this-sensory-input-which-begins-in-the-brain-has-its-effect/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) > [Humanity today is not safe in the presence of humanity. The old cannibalism has given way to anonymous action in which the killer and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/humanity-today-is-not-safe-in-the-presence-of-humanity-the-old/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) [Explore all 162 Norman Cousins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) ## More Develop quotes > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [To assist a child we must provide him with an environment which will enable him to develop freely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/to-assist-a-child-we-must-provide-him-with-an-environment-which-will/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [You have to improve; that's how you develop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gustafsson/you-have-to-improve-that-s-how-you-develop/) [Alexander Gustafsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gustafsson/) > [Consider developing your whole self with the same raw focus and intensity that you develop a particular skill set. Get focused. Go out, have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-holden/consider-developing-your-whole-self-with-the-same-raw-focus-and/) [Anthony Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-holden/) > [When we look at the situation in the EU, we need to honestly admit that it desperately needs to develop further, that we need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/when-we-look-at-the-situation-in-the-eu-we-need-to-honestly-admit/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [I'm a native of L.A. I've seen the city change and develop over time, and I still believe there's no place like home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-silverman/i-m-a-native-of-l-a-i-ve-seen-the-city-change-and-develop-over-time/) [Jonathan Silverman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-silverman/) > [Obama did organize a great large number of people and many enthusiastic people, what's called in the press 'Obama's Army.' But the army is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/obama-did-organize-a-great-large-number-of-people-and-many/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [You develop an instant global consciousness, a people orientation, an intense dissatisfaction with the state of the world, and a compulsion to do something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-mitchell/you-develop-an-instant-global-consciousness-a-people-orientation-an/) [Edgar Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-mitchell/) > [Although it is still important to develop an HIV vaccine, we have significant tools already at our disposal that can make a major impact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/although-it-is-still-important-to-develop-an-hiv-vaccine-we-have/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Throughout my career, when I was finished with the drawing for one film I would go up to the story department and help develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-davis/throughout-my-career-when-i-was-finished-with-the-drawing-for-one/) [Marc Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-davis/) > [When you grow up close to poultry and fields and gardens and open-air markets, you can't help but develop an instinct for quality food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-ducasse/when-you-grow-up-close-to-poultry-and-fields-and-gardens-and-open-air/) [Alain Ducasse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-ducasse/) > [“You can't develop the world but you can develop your world because the world will one day fall but your world will always walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/issah-awal/you-can-t-develop-the-world-but-you-can-develop-your-world-because/) Issah Awal > [The way Pixar has always worked is that we think of an idea and then we make it. We don't develop lots of ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-stanton/the-way-pixar-has-always-worked-is-that-we-think-of-an-idea-and-then/) [Andrew Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-stanton/) > [When you're in youth development, you have to develop players - win or come in second. But the job where I am and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-vieira/when-you-re-in-youth-development-you-have-to-develop-players-win-or/) [Patrick Vieira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-vieira/) > [I've come to Bremen to get playing time, to develop further and to help the team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serge-gnabry/i-ve-come-to-bremen-to-get-playing-time-to-develop-further-and-to/) [Serge Gnabry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serge-gnabry/) Browse all 833 Develop quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The purpose of education is to enable us to develop to the fullest that which is inside us", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Norman Cousins" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-purpose-of-education-is-to-enable-us-to-develop-to-the-fullest/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Develop" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-purpose-of-education-is-to-enable-us-to-develop-to-the-fullest/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fc/norman-cousins-2488_develop_the-purpose-of-education-is-to-enable-us_2927024.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fc/norman-cousins-2488_develop_the-purpose-of-education-is-to-enable-us_2927024.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fc/norman-cousins-2488_develop_the-purpose-of-education-is-to-enable-us_2927024.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The purpose of education is to enable us to develop to the fullest that which is inside us” — Norman Cousins", "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": "Norman Cousins", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The purpose of education is to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-purpose-of-education-is-to-enable-us-to-develop-to-the-fullest/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-purpose-of-education-is-to-enable-us-to-develop-to-the-fullest/#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 } } ] } ```