The method of instruction in Scouting is that of creating in the boy the desire to learn for himself.
Robert Baden-PowellRead
Erudition - that is, reading, writing, and arithmetic - is taught in the schools; but where is the more important quality, character, taught? Nowhere in particular. There is no authorized training for children in character.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that while academic subjects are taught in schools, character development is often neglected.
Robert Baden-Powell highlights a significant gap in education systems, where traditional subjects such as reading, writing, and arithmetic take precedence over essential qualities like character. He argues that character education is not formally addressed, suggesting that instilling values, ethics, and character in children is just as important, if not more so, than academic knowledge. This raises a crucial point about the holistic development of individuals and the responsibility of educators and society in nurturing moral character.
Themes
EducationCharacterValuesDevelopmentMorality
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on education reform, this quote can be used to highlight the need for character education.
More from Robert Baden-Powell
All quotes →The more responsibility the Scoutmaster gives his patrol leaders, the more they will respond.
Robert Baden-PowellRead
Try and leave this world a little better than you found it, and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate, you have not wasted your time but have done your best.
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Success in training the boy depends largely on the Scoutmaster's own personal example.
Robert Baden-PowellRead
Football is a grand game for developing a lad physically and also morally, for he learns to play with good temper and unselfishness, to play in his place, and to play the game, and these are the best of training for any game of life.
Robert Baden-PowellRead
Life would pall if it were all sugar; salt is bitter if taken by itself; but when tasted as part of the dish, it savours the meat. Difficulties are the salt of life.
Robert Baden-PowellRead
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