The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should have the opportunity of teaching itself. What does it matter if the pupil know a little more or a little less? A boy who leaves school knowing much, but hating his lessons, will soon have forgotten all he ever learned; while another who had acquired a thirst for knowledge, even if he had learned little, would soon teach himself more than the first ever knew.
John LubbockDon't be afraid of showing affection. Be warm and tender, thoughtful and affectionate. Men are more helped by sympathy than by service. Love is more than money, and a kind word will give more pleasure than a present.
John LubbockGreat battles are really won before they are actually fought. To control our passions we must govern our habits, and keep watch over ourselves in the small details of everyday life.
John LubbockFresh air is as good for the mind as for the body. Nature always seems trying to talk to us as if she had some great secret to tell. And so she has.
John LubbockEarth and Sky, Woods and Fields, Lakes and Rivers, the Mountain and the Sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.
John LubbockEveryone must have felt that a cheerful friend is like a sunny day, which sheds its brightness on all around; and most of us can, as we choose, make of this world either a palace or a prison.
John LubbockHere are the three great questions which in life we have over and over again to answer: Is it right or wrong? Is it true or false? Is it beautiful or ugly? Our education ought to help us to answer these questions.
John LubbockReading and writing, arithmetic and grammar do not constitute education, any more than a knife, fork and spoon constitute a dinner.
John LubbockA pleasure is full grown only when it is remembered. C. S. LEWIS, Out of the Silent Planet True pleasures are paid for in advance; false pleasures afterwards, with heavy and compound interest.
John LubbockHowever vexed you may be overnight, things will often look very different in the morning.
John LubbockEndurance is a much better test of character than any single act of heroism, however noble.
John LubbockOur great mistake in education is ... the worship of book-learning-the confusion of instruction and education. We strain the memory instead of cultivating the mind. ... We ought to follow exactly the opposite course with children-to give them a wholesome variety of mental food, and endeavour to cultivate their tastes, rather than to fill their minds with dry facts.
John LubbockThose who have not distinguished themselves at school need not on that account be discouraged. the greatest minds do not necessarily ripen the quickest.
John LubbockThe world would be better and brighter if people were taught the duty of being happy as well as the happiness of doing their duty.
John LubbockIn this world we do not see things as they are. We see them as we are, because what we see depends mainly on what we are looking for.
John Lubbock