After all manner of professors have done their best for us, the place we are to get knowledge is in books. The true university of these days is a collection of books.
Interpretation
Knowledge is primarily gained through reading books rather than formal education.
In this quote, Albert Camus emphasizes the importance of self-directed learning through books as the true source of knowledge. He suggests that while professors and formal education play a role, the real 'university' lies in the vast repository of information and wisdom contained in books, highlighting the value of independent exploration and intellectual curiosity.
In practice
In a speech about lifelong learning, you could quote Camus to emphasize the value of reading.
The Poor Man whom everyone speaks of, the Poor Man whom everyone pities, one of the repulsive Poor from whom charitable souls keep their distance, he has still said nothing. Or, rather, he has spoken through the voice of Victor Hugo, Zola, Richepin. At least, they said so. And these shameful impostures fed their authors. Cruel irony, the Poor Man tormented with hunger feeds those who plead his case.
The certainty of a God giving meaning to life far surpasses in attractiveness the ability to behave badly with impunity. The choice would not be hard to make. But there is no choice and that is where the bitterness comes in. The absurd does not liberate; it binds.
Between history and the eternal I have chosen history because I like certainties. Of it, at least, I am certain, and how can I deny this force crushing me.
Don't wait for the last judgment - it takes place every day.
A single sentence will suffice for modern man. He fornicated and read the papers. After that vigorous definition, the subject will be, if I may say so, exhausted.
At times I feel myself overtaken by an immense tenderness for these people around me who live in the same century.
The foundations of any subject may be taught to anybody at any age in some form.
NASA's been one of the most successful public investments in motivating students to do well and achieve all they can achieve, and it's sad that we are turning the program in a direction where it will reduce the amount of motivation it provides to young people.
Questions are the important thing, answers are less important. Learning to ask a good question is the heart of intelligence. Learning the answer-well, answers are for students. Questions are for thinkers.
Headmasters have powers at their disposal with which Prime ministers have never yet been invested.
Our attitude towards ourselves should be 'to be satiable in learning' and towards others 'to be tireless in teaching.
What is the use of physicians like myself trying to help parents to bring up children healthy and happy, to have them killed in such numbers for a cause that is ignoble?
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