quotations about learning
You live and learn. At any rate, you live.
DOUGLAS ADAMS
Mostly Harmless
Learning, though it is useful when we know how to make a right use of it, yet, considered as in our own power, and to those who trust to it without seeking a superior guidance ... it is indeed like a sword in a madman's hands, which gives him the more opportunity of hurting himself than others.
JOHN NEWTON
Cardiphonia; or, The Utterance of the Heart
The learning which is got by one's own observation and experience, is as far beyond that which is got by precept, as the knowledge of a traveler exceeds that which is got by a map.
J. TILLINGHAST
attributed, Day's Collacon
A man of learning who makes no use of what he knows, is like a cloud which gives no rain.
GEORGE POPE MORRIS
The New York Mirror, Nov. 13, 1830
Of all evil things the least quantity is to be borne, but of learning and knowledge, the more a man hath, the better he can bear it.
BION
attributed, Day's Collacon
I delight in the diffusion of learning; yet, I must confess it, I am most gratified and transported at finding a large quantity of it in one place; just as I would rather have a solid pat of butter at breakfast, than a splash of grease upon the table-cloth that covers half of it.
WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR
Imaginary Conversations
Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.
ABIGAIL ADAMS
letter to John Quincy Adams, May 8, 1780
There is no royal road to learning; no short cut to the acquirement of any art.
ANTHONY TROLLOPE
Barchester Towers
You can't learn anything when you're trying to look like the smartest person in the room.
BARBARA KINGSOLVER
The Poisonwood Bible
He is not likely to learn who is not willing to be taught; for the learner has something to do, as well as the teacher.
BENJAMIN WHICHCOTE
Moral and Religious Aphorisms
One destitute of wealth is not destitute, he is indeed rich, but the man devoid of learning is destitute in every way.
CHANAKYA
Vridda-Chanakya
The love of learning, the sequestered nooks,
And all the sweet serenity of books
HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW
"Morituri Salutamus", Poems and Other Writings
The chief art of learning is to attempt but a little at a time.
JOHN LOCKE
attributed, Day's Collacon
No man is so learned but he may be taught; neither is any one so illiterate but he may teach.
WILLIAM SCOTT DOWNEY
Proverbs
Learn, as if never overtaking your object, and yet as if apprehensive of losing it.
CONFUCIUS
The Wisdom of Confucius
Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is. The only function of a school is to make self-education easier; failing that, it does nothing.
ISAAC ASIMOV
Science Past, Science Future
If we succeed in giving the love of learning, the learning itself is sure to follow.
JOHN LUBBOCK
The Pleasures of Life
It's not really the SATs, the tests themselves, it's what they stand for. It's the scorched earth policy that they create. It's the focus on tedious technicality over inspiring ideas. It's making learning as nit-picky and as joyless as possible.
KATE BYRNE
"Sats are making learning nit-picky and joyless", TES News, May 3, 2016
Gie me ae spark o' Nature's fire,
That's a' the learning I desire.
ROBERT BURNS
First Epistle to John Lapraik
To be proud of learning is the greatest ignorance.
JEREMY TAYLOR
The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living