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 never lecture, not because I am shy or a bad speaker, but simply because I detest the sort of people who go to lectures and don't want to meet them.
Vocabulary enables us to interpret and to express. If you have a limited vocabulary, you will also have a limited vision and a limited future.
You are told a lot about your education, but some beautiful, sacred memory, preserved since childhood, is perhaps the best education of all. If a man carries many such memories into life with him, he is saved for the rest of his days. And even if only one good memory is left in our hearts, it may also be the instrument of our salvation one day.
Time passed solely in the pursuit of pleasure leaves no solid enjoyment for the future; but from the hours you spend in reading and studying useful books, you will gather a golden harvest in future years.
The single aim of my life is that every child is:_x000D_ free to be a child,_x000D_ free to grow and develop,_x000D_ free to eat, sleep, see daylight,_x000D_ free to laugh and cry,_x000D_ free to play,_x000D_ free to learn, free to go to school, and above all, free to dream.
Rich people have small TVs and big libraries, and poor people have small libraries and big TVs.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.