--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If education does not create a need for…" description: "\"If education does not create a need for the best in life, then we are stuck in an undemocratic, rigid caste society.\" — Sargent Shriver" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9d/sargent-shriver-13145_castes_if-education-does-not-create-a-need-for_1301744.jpg" --- # If education does not create a need for the best in life… ![“If education does not create a need for the best in life, then we are stuck in an undemocratic, rigid caste society.” quote by Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9d/sargent-shriver-13145_castes_if-education-does-not-create-a-need-for_1301744.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9d/sargent-shriver-13145_castes_if-education-does-not-create-a-need-for_1301744.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9d/sargent-shriver-13145_castes_if-education-does-not-create-a-need-for_1301744.jpg) > “If education does not create a need for the best in life, then we are stuck in an undemocratic, rigid caste society.” [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) ## 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 inspire pursuit of excellence; without it, society becomes rigid and unequal. **In simple terms:** Education must inspire excellence, else society stagnates. Key Takeaway Promote excellence through learning. Themes education excellence social equity Mood optimistic critical Type policy motivational When to use this quote - schools - scholarships - policy reform Key Concepts human development meritocracy Questions to Reflect On - How can education foster both excellence and equity? - What reforms can prevent a rigid caste system? A Different Perspective Excellence alone may not address systemic barriers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Castes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/castes/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [I cannot believe there is caste system in society; I cannot believe people are judged on the basis of their prosperity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saina-nehwal/i-cannot-believe-there-is-caste-system-in-society-i-cannot-believe/) [Saina Nehwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saina-nehwal/) > [As the only class distinction available in a democracy, the college degree has created a caste society as rigid as ancient India's. Condemning elitism…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/as-the-only-class-distinction-available-in-a-democracy-the-college/) [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) > [“A caste society,” wrote U.S. Commissioner of Education Francis Keppel 25 years ago, “violates the style of American democracy.… The nation in effect does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-kozol/a-caste-society-wrote-u-s-commissioner-of-education-francis-keppel-25/) [Jonathan Kozol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-kozol/) > [Through an unwieldy combination of big government, big military, big business, big labor and big cities, we have created an unworkable mega-nation which defies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-naylor/through-an-unwieldy-combination-of-big-government-big-military-big/) [Thomas Naylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-naylor/) > [For undemocratic reasons and for motives not of State, they arrive at their conclusions, largely inarticulate. Being void of self-expression they confide their views…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/for-undemocratic-reasons-and-for-motives-not-of-state-they-arrive-at/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [“Very little truthfulness anywhere, antagonism everywhere, so much calculated to disgust, the gigantic hypocrisies, no holding fierce passions at bay, the ordinary viciousness you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/very-little-truthfulness-anywhere-antagonism-everywhere-so-much/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [To consider powerful souls as if they were a useful public resource is quite foreign to our customs. In a small sense it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-goodman/to-consider-powerful-souls-as-if-they-were-a-useful-public-resource/) [Paul Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-goodman/) > [This traditionally happens in Russia and in every other undemocratic country as well - the quest for a scapegoat won't be long, either. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-kasparov/this-traditionally-happens-in-russia-and-in-every-other-undemocratic/) [Garry Kasparov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-kasparov/) > [Democracy sometimes appears paralyzed by those who take advantage of its freedoms in order to abuse them for undemocratic ends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-pryce-jones/democracy-sometimes-appears-paralyzed-by-those-who-take-advantage-of/) David Pryce-Jones > [The idea that the GLC should be abolished at a stroke is ill though out, undemocratic and will cost the people of London dear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-livingstone/the-idea-that-the-glc-should-be-abolished-at-a-stroke-is-ill-though/) [Ken Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-livingstone/) > [It is entirely undemocratic to continue these burdens on the people for years and years after the requirements of protection have been met and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-griffin-carlisle/it-is-entirely-undemocratic-to-continue-these-burdens-on-the-people/) [John Griffin Carlisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-griffin-carlisle/) > [“You see my point? The average person has a very average notion of goodness to which they aspire averagely. To aspire to goodness in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-wood/you-see-my-point-the-average-person-has-a-very-average-notion-of/) [Geoffrey Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-wood/) > [The skeptical relativist attempt to mandate a naked public square is undemocratic. It is also a danger to democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-hyde/the-skeptical-relativist-attempt-to-mandate-a-naked-public-square-is/) [Henry Hyde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-hyde/) > [I'm afraid to apply for a visa to the U.S.A. because it's against terrorism in a very undemocratic way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamedou-ould-slahi/i-m-afraid-to-apply-for-a-visa-to-the-u-s-a-because-it-s-against/) [Mohamedou Ould Slahi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamedou-ould-slahi/) > [“It's almost hard to imagine anything more undemocratic than the view that political officials should not debate American wars in public, but only express…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/it-s-almost-hard-to-imagine-anything-more-undemocratic-than-the-view/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) ## More by Sargent Shriver > [In the Peace Corps, the volunteer must be a fully developed, mature person. He must not join to run abroad or escape problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/in-the-peace-corps-the-volunteer-must-be-a-fully-developed-mature/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [I don't think the Gallup Poll technique is going to be very helpful in determining the goals of our educational system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/i-don-t-think-the-gallup-poll-technique-is-going-to-be-very-helpful/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [One of the things Mr. Kennedy taught me was that in laying out a new project, you shouldn't try to cope with every little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/one-of-the-things-mr-kennedy-taught-me-was-that-in-laying-out-a-new/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [There is an alternative to war. It has been with us forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/there-is-an-alternative-to-war-it-has-been-with-us-forever/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [Shatter the glass. In our society that is so self-absorbed, begin to look less at yourself and more at each other. Learn more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/shatter-the-glass-in-our-society-that-is-so-self-absorbed-begin-to/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [When Roosevelt came along, I approved of his program, generally. I figured an economic system should work for people, not vice versa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/when-roosevelt-came-along-i-approved-of-his-program-generally-i/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [Christian virtues unite men. Racism separates them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/christian-virtues-unite-men-racism-separates-them/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [Racists are irrational and illogical in their attempts to justify their prejudices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/racists-are-irrational-and-illogical-in-their-attempts-to-justify/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [It's the most rewarding thing to be a civil servant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/it-s-the-most-rewarding-thing-to-be-a-civil-servant/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [A line has to be drawn somewhere between what is essential and what is peripheral.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/a-line-has-to-be-drawn-somewhere-between-what-is-essential-and-what/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [The cure is care. Caring for others is the practice of peace. Caring becomes as important as curing. Caring produces the cure, not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/the-cure-is-care-caring-for-others-is-the-practice-of-peace-caring/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [The Peace Corps is guilty of enthusiasm and a crusading spirit. But we're not apologetic about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/the-peace-corps-is-guilty-of-enthusiasm-and-a-crusading-spirit-but-we/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [It is not what you get out of life that counts. It's what you give and what is given from the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/it-is-not-what-you-get-out-of-life-that-counts-it-s-what-you-give-and/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [The roots of racism lie deep in man's nature, wounded and bruised by original sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/the-roots-of-racism-lie-deep-in-man-s-nature-wounded-and-bruised-by/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [He who knows all things and believes nothing is damned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/he-who-knows-all-things-and-believes-nothing-is-damned/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) [Explore all 51 Sargent Shriver quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) ## More Castes quotes > [Call a truce, then, to our labors - let us feast with friends and neighbors, and be merry as the custom of our caste;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/call-a-truce-then-to-our-labors-let-us-feast-with-friends-and/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [The soul has neither sex, nor caste nor imperfection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-soul-has-neither-sex-nor-caste-nor-imperfection/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [One thing that was very clear to me is that the young people in a place like Annawadi aren't tripping on caste the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-boo/one-thing-that-was-very-clear-to-me-is-that-the-young-people-in-a/) [Katherine Boo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-boo/) > [The mass incarceration of poor people of color, particularly black men, has emerged as a new caste system, one specifically designed to address the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-alexander/the-mass-incarceration-of-poor-people-of-color-particularly-black-men/) [Michelle Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-alexander/) > [New Orleans invented the brown paper bag party - usually at a gathering in a home - where anyone darker than the bag attached…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eric-dyson/new-orleans-invented-the-brown-paper-bag-party-usually-at-a-gathering/) [Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eric-dyson/) > [Political and social justice requires, not the disintegration of a country and destruction or humiliation of a class which shows initiative, intelligence and drive,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syama-prasad-mukherjee/political-and-social-justice-requires-not-the-disintegration-of-a/) [Syama Prasad Mukherjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syama-prasad-mukherjee/) > [I want the Brahmins to realize that the Dravidian people today are very much hating those who cunningly cheated them with absurdities. They are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/periyar-e-v-ramasamy/i-want-the-brahmins-to-realize-that-the-dravidian-people-today-are/) [Periyar E. V. Ramasamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/periyar-e-v-ramasamy/) > [Many immigrants do not talk about what they endured back home. They were fleeing that world, and when they left they didn't want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-wilkerson/many-immigrants-do-not-talk-about-what-they-endured-back-home-they/) [Isabel Wilkerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-wilkerson/) > [Now that practical skills have developed enough to provide adequately for material needs, one of these sciences which are not devoted to utilitarian ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/now-that-practical-skills-have-developed-enough-to-provide-adequately/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > ["Learn good knowledge with all devotion from the lowest caste. Learn the way to freedom, even if it comes from a Pariah, by serving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/learn-good-knowledge-with-all-devotion-from-the-lowest-caste-learn/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Not in vain has Lincoln lived, for he has helped to make this republic an example of justice, with no caste but the caste…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/not-in-vain-has-lincoln-lived-for-he-has-helped-to-make-this-republic/) [George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/) > [“Even when her rights are recognized abstractly, long-standing habit keeps them from being concretely manifested in customs. Economically, men and women almost form two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/even-when-her-rights-are-recognized-abstractly-long-standing-habit/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) > [If we claim heritage in Bacon, Shakespeare and Milton, we also acknowledge that it was for liberties guaranteed Englishmen by sacred charters our fathers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chauncey-depew/if-we-claim-heritage-in-bacon-shakespeare-and-milton-we-also/) [Chauncey Depew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chauncey-depew/) > [As a feminist, I consider the female pronoun to be an honorific, a term that conveys respect. Respect is due to women as members…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-jeffreys/as-a-feminist-i-consider-the-female-pronoun-to-be-an-honorific-a-term/) [Sheila Jeffreys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-jeffreys/) > [For African American children, in particular, the odds are extremely high that they will have a parent or loved one, a relative, who has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-alexander/for-african-american-children-in-particular-the-odds-are-extremely/) [Michelle Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-alexander/) [Browse all 165 Castes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/castes/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If education does not create a need for the best in life, then we are stuck in an undemocratic, rigid caste society.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sargent Shriver" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/if-education-does-not-create-a-need-for-the-best-in-life-then-we-are/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Castes" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/if-education-does-not-create-a-need-for-the-best-in-life-then-we-are/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9d/sargent-shriver-13145_castes_if-education-does-not-create-a-need-for_1301744.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9d/sargent-shriver-13145_castes_if-education-does-not-create-a-need-for_1301744.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9d/sargent-shriver-13145_castes_if-education-does-not-create-a-need-for_1301744.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If education does not create a need for the best in life, then we are stuck in an undemocratic, rigid caste…” — Sargent Shriver", "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": "Sargent Shriver", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If education does not create a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/if-education-does-not-create-a-need-for-the-best-in-life-then-we-are/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/if-education-does-not-create-a-need-for-the-best-in-life-then-we-are/#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 } } ] } ```