--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every act of conscious learning requires…" description: "\"Every act of conscious learning requires the willingness to suffer an injury to one's self-esteem. That is why young children, before they are aware of..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a6/thomas-szasz-3801_education_every-act-of-conscious-learning-requires_2592651.jpg" --- # Every act of conscious learning requires the willingness… ![“Every act of conscious learning requires the willingness to suffer an injury to one's self-esteem. That is why young children, before they are aware of their own self-importance, learn so easily; and why older persons, especially if vain or important, cannot learn at all.” quote by Thomas Szasz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a6/thomas-szasz-3801_education_every-act-of-conscious-learning-requires_2592651.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a6/thomas-szasz-3801_education_every-act-of-conscious-learning-requires_2592651.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a6/thomas-szasz-3801_education_every-act-of-conscious-learning-requires_2592651.jpg) > “Every act of conscious learning requires the willingness to suffer an injury to one's self-esteem. That is why young children, before they are aware of their own self-importance, learn so easily; and why older persons, especially if vain or important, cannot learn at all.” [Thomas Szasz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-szasz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Learning requires risking self-esteem; children learn because they lack self-importance. **In simple terms:** Learning can hurt ego. Key Takeaway Embrace vulnerability to learn. Themes education ego growth Mood reflective encouraging Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - classroom settings - personal development - career training Key Concepts psychology developmental theory Questions to Reflect On - What protects your self-esteem? - How can you lower defenses to learn? A Different Perspective Adults may resist learning due to pride. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Self importance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-importance/) ## Related quotes > [Every act of conscious learning requires the willingness to suffer an injury to one's self-esteem. 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And then one day you've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atul-gawande/practice-is-funny-that-way-for-days-and-days-you-make-out-only-the/) [Atul Gawande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atul-gawande/) > [The scriptures say to wake up from the deep sleep of ignorance, remain fully awake, remain conscious, & go on learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rama-swami/the-scriptures-say-to-wake-up-from-the-deep-sleep-of-ignorance-remain/) [Rama Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rama-swami/) > [The process of learning requires not only hearing and applying but also forgetting and then remembering again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gray/the-process-of-learning-requires-not-only-hearing-and-applying-but/) [John Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gray/) > [One learns from books and example only that certain things can be done. 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