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Knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind.
Plato
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Compulsory learning does not lead to true understanding or retention of knowledge.

This quote by Plato emphasizes that knowledge gained through force or obligation lacks depth and permanence in one’s intellect. When individuals are coerced into learning, they often fail to internalize the information, resulting in superficial understanding rather than genuine comprehension and skill.

Themes

KnowledgeLearningEducationUnderstandingCompulsion

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about educational reform, one might say, 'As Plato reminds us, knowledge obtained under compulsion lacks true retention.'

More from Plato

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Not one of them who took up in his youth with this opinion that there are no gods ever continued until old age faithful to his conviction.
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...for the object of education is to teach us to love beauty.
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Nothing in the affairs of men is worthy of great anxiety.
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Let parents bequeath to their children not riches, but the spirit of reverence.
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