To put away one's own original thoughts in order to take up a book is a sin against the Holy Ghost.
Interpretation
Valuing original thought is essential; relying solely on others' ideas can hinder oneβs personal growth.
Barbara Tuchman's quote emphasizes the importance of developing and nurturing one's own original ideas and thoughts. She argues that immersing oneself in the works of others, to the detriment of personal reflection and creativity, represents a failure to engage with one's own intellect and potential, which she metaphorically describes as a sin against the Holy Ghost.
In practice
In a lecture emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, this quote can inspire students to formulate their own opinions.
In a country where misery and want were the foundation of the social structure, famine was periodic, death from starvation common, disease pervasive, thievery normal, and graft and corruption taken for granted, the elimination of these conditions in Communist China is so striking that negative aspects of the new rule fade in relative importance.
When every autumn people said it could not last through the winter, and when every spring there was still no end in sight, only the hope that out of it all some good would accrue to mankind kept men and nations fighting. When at last it was over, the war had many diverse results and one dominant one transcending all others: disillusion.
One constant among the elements of 1914βas of any eraβwas the disposition of everyone on all sides not to prepare for the harder alternative, not to act upon what they suspected to be true.
Nothing is more satisfying than to write a good sentence. It is no fun to write lumpishly, dully, in prose the reader must plod through like wet sand. But it is a pleasure to achieve, if one can, a clear running prose that is simple yet full of surprises. This does not just happen. It requires skill, hard work, a good ear, and continued practice.
The unrecorded past is none other than our old friend, the tree in the primeval forest which fell without being heard
Theology being the work of males, original sin was traced to the female.
Whatever sorrow shakes from your heart, far better things will take their place.
There is always room for a man of force and he makes room for many. Society is a troop of thinkers and the best heads among them take the best places.
Either you're growing or you're decaying; there's no middle ground. If you're standing still, you're decaying.
The ignorant man never enjoys.
There is no fire like greed, No crime like hatred, No sorrow like separation, No sickness like hunger of heart, And no joy like the joy of freedom. Health, contentment and trust Are your greatest possessions, And freedom your greatest joy. Look within. Be still. Free from fear and attachment, Know the sweet joy of living in the way.
There is nothing wrong with making mistakes and not having all the answers, so long as we are willing to admit this and strive for personal betterment. Those who think they know it all have no way of finding out that they don't.
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