Acquire a government over your ideas, that they may come down when they are called, and depart when they are bidden.
Isaac WattsRead
Once a day, especially in the early years of life and study, call yourselves to an account what new ideas, what new proposition or truth you have gained, what further confirmation of known truths, and what advances you have made in any part of knowledge.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote encourages regular self-reflection on one's learning and understanding throughout life, especially in the formative years.
Isaac Watts emphasizes the importance of daily self-reflection on one's intellectual growth and discoveries. He suggests that especially during the early stages of life and education, individuals should assess what new ideas or truths they have learned, how their existing knowledge has been reinforced, and the progress they’ve made in their understanding of various subjects. This practice not only promotes continuous learning but also fosters a habit of accountability in one's intellectual journey.
Themes
Self-ReflectionEducationLearningKnowledgeGrowth
In practice
Example use cases
This quote would be perfect to open a seminar on lifelong learning.
More from Isaac Watts
All quotes →Instructors should not only be skilful in those sciences which they teach, but have skill in the method of teaching, and patience in the practice.
Isaac WattsRead
Acquaint yourself with your own ignorance.
Isaac WattsRead
To prevent and suppress rising resentment is wise and glorious, is manly and divine.
Isaac WattsRead
Kind words toward those you daily meet, Kind words and actions right, Will make this life of ours most sweet, Turn darkness into night.
Isaac WattsRead
Though reading and conversation may furnish us with many ideas of men and things, yet it is our own meditation must form our judgment.
Isaac WattsRead
Similar quotes
Instead of going to Paris to attend lectures, go to the public library, and you won't come out for twenty years, if you really wish to learn.
Leo TolstoyRead
When school district officials literally laughed at the notion that the Me Generation — this was the label for my generation — would jump at the chance to teach in urban and rural communities, their concerns, too, went unheard. My very greatest asset was that I simply did not understand what was impossible.
Wendy KoppRead
The books that help you most are those which make you think that most. The hardest way of learning is that of easy reading; but a great book that comes from a great thinker is a ship of thought, deep freighted with truth and beauty.
Pablo NerudaRead
What is much harder to handle is the sense that you have to live up to the mark someone else has set for you. The grades become too important, the competition too frantic, the fear of disappointing those who believe in you turns into an overwhelming nightmare.
Sydney J. HarrisRead
Getting an education was a bit like a communicable sexual disease. It made you unsuitable for a lot of jobs and then you had the urge to pass it on.
Terry PratchettRead
Wear your learning like your watch, in a private pocket; and do not pull it out, and strike it, merely to show that you have one.
Philip Stanhope, 4Th Earl Of ChesterfieldRead