We know that once we stop learning and call ourselves learned, we become useless members of the scientific society.
Interpretation
Continuous learning is essential to remain valuable in society.
This quote by Christian De Duve emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning. It suggests that when individuals cease to pursue knowledge and consider themselves fully 'learned,' they risk becoming obsolete and unproductive members of a community, especially in the fast-evolving field of science. The pursuit of knowledge is portrayed as a vital aspect of contributing to society and staying relevant.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of education, one could quote this to highlight the need for continuous learning.
If you equate the probability of the birth of a bacteria cell to chance assembly of its atoms, eternity will not suffice to produce one Faced with the enormous sum of lucky draws behind the success of the evolutionary game, one may legitimately wonder to what extent this success is actually written into the fabric of the universe.
At Cornell University, my professor of European literature, Vladimir Nabokov, changed the way I read and the way I write. Words could paint pictures, I learned from him. Choosing the right word, and the right word order, he illustrated, could make an enormous difference in conveying an image or an idea.
How it is we have so much information, but know so little?
A lively and lasting sense of filial duty is more effectually impressed on the mind of a son or daughter by reading King Lear, than by all the dry volumes of ethics, and divinity that ever were written.
As for literature β to introduce children to literature is to install them in a very rich and glorious kingdom, to bring a continual holiday to their doors, to lay before them a feast exquisitely served. But they must learn to know literature by being familiar with it from the very first. A child's intercourse must always be with good books, the best that we can find.
There is a whole industry in America of people who want to write, and those who teach it. Even if the students don't end up writing, what's good about them taking the courses is, they become great readers, learning to appreciate the writing.
I was not a good student. I did not spend much _x000D_ time at college; I was too busy enjoying myself.
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