Academe, n.: An ancient school where morality and philosophy were taught. Academy, n.: A modern school where football is taught.
Interpretation
This quote contrasts the focus on moral and philosophical teachings in ancient academies with the modern emphasis on sports, highlighting a shift in priorities in education.
Ambrose Bierce's quote serves as a critique of contemporary education, suggesting that modern academies have diverted from noble pursuits of moral and philosophical inquiry to prioritize physical education and sports, particularly football. The juxtaposition of the terms 'academe' and 'academy' reflects a deeper commentary on societal values and the evolving purpose of educational institutions, prompting reflection on what we truly prioritize in our pursuit of knowledge and personal growth.
In practice
In a discussion about the purpose of education, one might reference this quote to emphasize the need for prioritizing moral teaching.
PALM, n. A species of tree . . . of which the familiar "itching palm" ("Palma hominis") is most widely distributed . . . . This noble vegetable exudes a kind of invisible gum, which may be detected by applying to the bark a piece of gold or silver.
Human nature is pretty well balanced; for every lacking virtue there is a rough substitute that will serve at a pinch--as cunning is the wisdom of the unwise, and ferocity the courage of the coward.
Indigestion: A disease which the patient and his friends frequently mistake for deep religious conviction and concern for the salvation of mankind. As the simple Red Man of the Western Wild put it, with, it must be confessed, a certain force: 'Plenty well, no pray; big belly ache, heap God.'
Disobey n:To celebrate with an appropriate ceremony the maturity of a command
NOUMENON, n. That which exists, as distinguished from that which merely seems to exist, the latter being a phenomenon. The noumenon is a bit difficult to locate; it can be apprehended only by a process of reasoning - which is a phenomenon.
PARDON, v. To remit a penalty and restore to the life of crime. To add to the lure of crime the temptation of ingratitude.
I was learning, as I did in the Ministry of Defense. I never knew, but I always learned.
The chief problem in any community cursed with crime is not the punishment of the criminals, but the preventing of the young from being trained to crime.
I am still amazed at the amount of Christian charity [Wellesley] stuck us all with, a kind of glazed politeness in the face of boredom and stupidity. Tolerance, in the worst sense of the word. How marvelous it would have been to go to a women's college that encouraged impoliteness, that rewarded aggression, that encouraged argument.
Educational bureaucracies dull a child's questing sensitivity.
I want my kids to graduate from high school. But that's not enough. I also want them to go to college. Why? Because rich people's kids go to college. And if that's good enough for them, it's good enough for my kids. Because you know what? College graduates don't tend to go to jail as frequently as nongraduates.
I got a chance to listen to and watch Thelonious Monk and his quartet play two shows a night, for six weeks. It was a great education. There was my university, man.
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