We seem to have lost. We have not lost. To refuse to fight would have been to lose; to fight is to win. We have kept faith with the past, and handed on a tradition to the future.
Patrick PearseRead
Education should foster; this education is meant to repress. Education should inspire; this education is meant to tame. Education should harden; this education is meant to enervate. The English are too wise a people to attempt to educate the Irish in any worthy sense. As well expect them to arm us.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques the nature of education as it is often delivered, suggesting it aims to suppress rather than uplift.
Patrick Pearse's quote reflects his belief that education, in its traditional form, is often designed to control and subjugate rather than to empower individuals. He contrasts a more inspiring and fostering type of education with one that oppresses and weakens, particularly highlighting the disparities in how the English approach the education of the Irish. Pearse's assertion underlines the political and social implications of education and challenges the status quo, calling for a more meaningful and transformative educational experience.
Themes
EducationEmpowermentOppressionIrishPolitics
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture on the role of education in society, one could use this quote to illustrate how education can sometimes serve oppressive purposes.
More from Patrick Pearse
All quotes →As long as Ireland is unfree the only honourable attitude for Irish men, women to have is an attitude of rebellion.
Patrick PearseRead
Ireland unfree shall never be at peace
Patrick PearseRead
Similar quotes
We teach children to save their money. As an attempt to counteract thoughtless and selfish expenditure, that has value. But it is not positive; it does not lead the child into the safe and useful avenues of self-expression or self-expenditure. To teach a child to invest and use is better than to teach him to save.
Henry FordRead
There's a great power of imagination about these little creatures, and a creative fancy and belief that is very curious to watch . . . I am sure that horrid matter-of-fact child-rearers . . . do away with the child's most beautiful privilege. I am determined that Anny shall have a very extensive and instructive store of learning in Tom Thumbs, Jack-the-Giant-Killers, etc.
William Makepeace ThackerayRead
I became a librarian at the Sainte-Genevieve Library in Paris. I made this gesture to rid myself of a certain milieu, a certain attitude, to have a clean conscience, but also to make a living. I was twenty-five. I had been told that one must make a living, and I believed it.
Marcel DuchampRead
The proudest moment for [a teacher of leaders] is seeing not what students learn but what they do.
David GergenRead
I decided to teach because I think that any person who studies philosophy has to be involved actively.
Angela DavisRead
With better vision, we sacrifice for students for whom that sacrifice will most likely pay off. I'm sorry to say this, but there are times when even superhuman effort will not save a child from his environment or himself. It's not the job of the teacher to save a child's soul; it is the teachers' job to provide an opportunity for the child to save his own soul.
Rafe EsquithRead