Be convinced that, if man were able to reach the end without preparatory studies, such studies would not be preparatory but tiresome and utterly superfluous.
Interpretation
Knowledge and preparation are essential for meaningful achievement.
This quote emphasizes the importance of preparatory studies and learning as foundational elements that enable individuals to reach their goals successfully. Maimonides suggests that without the need for preparation, the journey towards an end goal would lack significance and value, highlighting that effort and study are vital for meaningful progress and understanding.
In practice
Using this quote in a speech about the importance of education for students.
If men possessed wisdom, which stands in the same relation to the form of man as the sight to the eye, they would not cause any injury to themselves or to others; for the knowledge of truth removes hatred and quarrels, and prevents mutual injuries.
There are eight rungs in charity. The highest is when you help a man to help himself.
God who preceded all existence is a refuge.
When man possesses a good, sound body that does not overpower him nor disturb the equilibrium in him, he possesses a divine gift. In short, a good constitution facilitates the rule of the soul over the body, but it is not impossible to conquer a bad constitution by training.
If the whole earth is infinitely small in comparison with the sphere of the stars, what is man compared with all these created beings!
One should see the world, and see himself as a scale with an equal balance of good and evil. When he does one good deed the scale is tipped to the good - he and the world is saved. When he does one evil deed the scale is tipped to the bad - he and the world is destroyed.
The future belongs to young people with an education and the imagination to create.
Whatβs strange is how many beginning writers seem to think that grammar is irrelevant, or that they are somehow above or beyond this subject more fit for a schoolchild than the future author of great literature.
Denial of childhood and denial of freedom are the biggest sins which humankind has been committing and perpetuating for ages.
Those who teach by their doctrine must teach by their life, or else they pull down with one hand what they build up with the other.
The libraries of America are and must ever remain the home of free and inquiring minds. To them, our citizens-of all ages and races, of all creeds and persuasions-must be able to turn with clear confidence that there they can freely seek the whole truth, unvarnished by fashion and uncompromised by expediency.
There are many more want-to-be writers out there than good editors.
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