Bad grades Quote by Robert M. Pirsig
“Schools teach you to imitate. If you don't imitate what the teacher wants you get a bad grade. Here, in college, it was more sophisticated, of course; you were supposed to imitate the teacher in such a way as to convince the teacher you were not imitating, but taking the essence of the instruction and going ahead with it on your own. That got you A's. Originality on the other hand could get you anything -- from A to F. The whole grading system cautioned against it.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig, 1974
Education often rewards conformity and penalizes true originality, forcing students to mimic expectations while appearing independent.
In simple terms: Schools value copying over genuine creativity.
Key Takeaway
Balance conformity with authentic insight.
Themes
education
conformity
creativity
assessment
originality
Mood
reflective
critical
inquisitive
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- college coursework
- artistic projects
- research papers
- team collaborations
Key Concepts
Pedagogy
authenticity
grade dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you demonstrate originality without violating expectations?
- When is imitation a strategic tool?
A Different Perspective
Original ideas may be misinterpreted as non‑compliance, risking lower grades.
