Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow... even if that someone is yourself!
PlatoRead
Their military training will ensure success in war, but they must maintain unity by not allowing the state to grow to large, and by ensuring that the measures for promotion and demotion from one class to another are carried out. Above all they must maintain the educational system unchanged; for on education everything else depends, and it is an illusion to imagine that mere legislation without it can effect anything of consequence.
Interpretation
Education is fundamental to societal success, and maintaining unity is crucial for effective governance.
In this quote, Plato emphasizes the critical role of education in the success of a society and its military. He warns against the dangers of an oversized state and the importance of maintaining unity among classes through fair promotion and demotion practices. Without a stable and consistent educational system, any legislative changes would be ineffective, highlighting that real progress relies on an informed and cohesive population.
In practice
During a graduation speech to highlight the importance of education in achieving future success.
Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow... even if that someone is yourself!
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.
...for the object of education is to teach us to love beauty.
Pleasure is the greatest incentive to evil.
Nothing in the affairs of men is worthy of great anxiety.
Let parents bequeath to their children not riches, but the spirit of reverence.
This is what I have learned: Any white person living in the United States will develop opinions about race simply by swimming in the water of our culture. But mainstream sources - schools, textbooks, media - don't provide us with the multiple perspectives we need.
Experience fails to teach where there is no desire to learn.
My God! The English language is a form of communication! Conversation isn't just crossfire where you shoot and get shot at! Where you've got to duck for your life and aim to kill! Words aren't only bombs and bullets — no, they're little gifts, containing meanings!
Writing is literally transformative. When we read, we are changed. When we write, we are changed. It's neurological. To me, this is a kind of magic.
We Americans are the best informed people on earth as to the events of the last twenty-four hours; we are the not the best informed as the events of the last sixty centuries.
History is the only true teacher, the revolution the best school for the proletariat.
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