I have just gone over my comet computations again, and it is humiliating to perceive how very little more I know than I did seven years ago when I first did this kind of work.
Maria MitchellRead
Study as if you were going to live forever; live as if you were going to die tomorrow.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote encourages individuals to pursue knowledge and learning with a sense of urgency and purpose, while also reminding them to embrace life fully and live in the present.
Maria Mitchell's quote emphasizes the importance of balancing education and life experiences. On one hand, it advocates for lifelong learning and the pursuit of knowledge as if one has an eternity to absorb information. On the other hand, it serves as a reminder that life is finite and should be lived to the fullest, making each moment count. The juxtaposition of studying as if one will live forever and living as if one will die tomorrow inspires a holistic approach to life where both learning and living are valued equally.
Themes
EducationLifeLearningExperienceKnowledge
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could inspire students during a graduation speech about the importance of continual learning.
More from Maria Mitchell
All quotes βThe best that can be said of my life so far is that it has been industrious, and the best that can be said of me is that I have not pretended to what I was not.
Maria MitchellRead
To read a book, to think it over, and to write out notes is a useful exercise; a book which will not repay some hard thought is not worth publishing.
Maria MitchellRead
There is no cosmetic for beauty like happiness.
Maria MitchellRead
I am just learning to notice the different colors of the stars, and already begin to have a new enjoyment.
Maria MitchellRead
We travel to learn; and I have never been in any country where they did not do something better than we do it, think some thoughts better than we think, catch some inspiration from heights above our own.
Maria MitchellRead
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Study history, study history. In history lies all the secrets of statecraft.
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