Perhaps a modern society can remain stable only by eliminating adolescence, by giving its young, from the age of ten, the skills, responsibilities, and rewards of grownups, and opportunities for action in all spheres of life. Adolescence should be a time of useful action, while book learning and scholarship should be a preoccupation of adults.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that society should prepare young people for adulthood earlier by assigning them adult responsibilities and opportunities.
Eric Hoffer argues that a stable society might require the elimination of adolescence as a distinct phase, advocating for the early introduction of adult responsibilities and opportunities to the youth. He believes that this would allow young individuals to engage in meaningful actions rather than just scholastic pursuits, thus fostering a more responsible and action-oriented generation capable of contributing to society.
In practice
In a speech about educational reform, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of practical skills for students.
Language was invented to ask questions. Answers may be given by grunts and gestures, but questions must be spoken. Humanness came of age when man asked the first question. Social stagnation results not from a lack of answers but from the absence of the impulse to ask questions.
Faith in humanity, in posterity, in the destiny of one's religion, nation, race, party or family-what is it but the visualization of that eternal something to which we attach the self that is about to be annihilated?
You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you.
Our frustration is greater when we have much and want more than when we have nothing and want some. We are less dissatisfied when we lack many things than when we seem to lack but one thing.
Our credulity is greatest concerning the things we know least about.
It is the awareness of unfulfilled desires which gives a nation the feeling that it has a mission and a destiny.
Teach and practice, practice and teach - that is all we have; that is all we are good for; that is all we ever ought to do.
As more men become more educated and women get educated, the value system has to be more enhanced and the respect for human dignity and human life is made better.
I read recently that the problem with stereotypes isn't that they are inaccurate, but that they're incomplete. And this captures perfectly what I think about contemporary African literature. The problem isn't that it's inaccurate, it's that it's incomplete.
The learning and knowledge that we have, is, at the most, but little compared with that of which we are ignorant.
Live in the serene peace of laboratories and libraries
There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all.
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