With school starting up again, students around the world are gearing up for another year of learning. Here are ten memorable quotes about learning to help inspire you and your family for a brand new, successful year!
1. Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn. – Benjamin Franklin
As a teacher, I love this quote because it expresses a deep truth that education best happens when we make it a part of who we are. Actions can be the best education. This year, try brainstorming ways to embrace new experiences – you'll gain valuable lessons and new skills and perspectives along the way.
2. Let your home be a meeting place for sages. – Pirkei Avot 1:4
Pirkei Avot, a 2,000 year old compendium of Jewish knowledge, offers a first step for acquiring wisdom and knowledge: respect those who can teach you, and seek ways to be close to them. This year, consider re-thinking your surroundings: start looking for ways to transform your home in a forum for learning and growth.
3. Ask a question and you're a fool for three minutes – don't ask a question and you're a fool all your life. – Chinese proverb
A shy person cannot learn. – Pirkei Avot, 2:6
Not wanting to look foolish can be a big obstacle to asking questions, but others seldom judge us as harshly as we fear. Consider asking questions not as admissions of weakness, but as the sign of a growing and lively mind.
4. Children are like wet cement: whatever falls on them makes an impression. – Dr. Chaim Ginott, Israeli early-education pioneer
All our actions have an effect on our kids, and whether we like it or not we are their role models. Kids are incredibly perceptive. When they see our character traits on display, they learn that these are "normal" and emulate them.
5. It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer. – Albert Einstein
Einstein is sometimes depicted in popular culture as an other-worldly genius to whom insights came with little effort. This quote reminds us that, in reality, he was an immensely hard-working scientist whose success came after years of dedication and hard work. We can all work on increasing the amount of time we spend on problems and tasks that are important to us.
6. Rabbi Hillel says ...do not say 'When I am free I will study', for perhaps you will not become free. – Pirkei Avot 2:6
When Hillel couldn't afford the fees of his local school, he would climb the roof and listen to lessons through an open window, even during the harsh winter months. He recognized that no obstacle is insurmountable to someone who truly wishes to learn. This year, even if your schedule is already busy, experiment with making room for classes or other activities you've been meaning to try.
7. Perfect is the enemy of good. – Voltaire
My husband learned this quote in medical school, where it helped him and other Type-A perfectionists get over their fear of making mistakes. Don’t let your fear of messing up prevent you from growing. Instead aim for "good enough."
8. It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. – Aristotle
Learning and growth require being open to new perspectives. This year, try to resolve stepping outside your comfort zone and being more open to new ideas and experiences.
9. Ben Zoma says: Who is wise? He who learns from every person. – Pirkei Avot 4:1
Education comes in all shapes and from all sources. Everyone has something to teach. A key to growth is being open to learning from all different types of people.
(5) Chavi Hornig, June 3, 2018 2:41 PM
ten?
Ten inspiring quotes?? I (and you) only count nine! Where is the tenth quote???
(4) Nancy, September 17, 2017 7:54 PM
My 2 favorite sayings
Perfect truly IS the enemy of the good. It keeps one from moving forward. Re: Waiting until we have "time" to study Torah. For about 3 years I have been learning Hebrew. I don't have time to learn for hours on end, but I find bits of time in my day. The result? My Hebrew is getting better! ? Not bad for a girl from a very Secular Jewish home!!
(3) Ziv, September 8, 2015 3:32 AM
The version “I hear, and I forget; I see, and I remember; I do, and I understand” was first popularly used in education in the 1960s. I Do—and I Understand was a 1966 book and a 1967 film by Derek Williams and the Nuffield Foundation. Mathematics Teaching Project. “Tell me, and I’ll forget. Show me, and I may remember. But involve me, and I’ll understand” was credited to Dr. Herb True in 1978; ‘Tell me and I forget. Teach me me and I remember. Involve me and I learn” was credited to Benjamin Franklin in 1985 (but he never said that).
The Chinese Confucian philosopher Xunzi (312-230 BC) wrote in Ruxiao (The Teachings of the Ru), as translated in 1990:
“Not having heard something is not as good as having heard it; having heard it is not as good as having seen it; having seen it is not as good as knowing it; knowing it is not as good as putting it into practice.”
(2) Harry, September 6, 2015 2:31 PM
11) Practice Makes Perfect. Repetition Counts (Rabbi Preida)
I would add that we learn by repetition. Computers can learn instantly, but people can't. In the Talmud, there is the story of Rabbi Preida and his difficult student. His student required 400 repetitions of each lesson to learn...........One day, Rabbi Preida was interrupted in the middle of a lesson. When he continued on for the 400 times, he found the student had not learned the lesson. The student said that the interruption made him nervous and he could not concentrate..........So, Rabbi Preida gave him 400 more repetitions, and then he mastered the lesson..........In fact we all need practice... www.SavingSchools.org
(1) Jonathan, September 6, 2015 12:21 PM
Excellent article
Very timely quotes for Back to School!!!!