Education Portal for Students in India

‘Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.’ – Nelson Mandela.
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Who said education is most powerful weapon?

Topic : Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; 6. What does this quote means to you? (150 words) “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” ― Nelson Mandela Difficulty level: Moderate Why the question: The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Quotes Wednesdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.

Structure of the answer: Introduction: Begin by explaining the literal meaning of the quote. Body: Write about the importance education in order to change the world – key to eliminating gender inequality, to reducing poverty, to creating a sustainable planet, foster a spirit of universalism and morality.

Cite examples to substantiate. Conclusion: Summarise by highlighting the importance of the quote in the present day.
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Why is knowledge the most powerful weapon?

Knowledge is the most powerful weapon you are ever going to have at your disposal. It is not a gun, a sword or a bomb because the strongest instrument you will have if you really want to make a change is what you learn. So, wherever you are right now in life, I want you to burn that into your mind.
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Where did Nelson Mandela say education is the most powerful weapon to change the world?

Context – This line was spoken by Nelson Mandela in a speech in South Africa (July 16, 2003). South Africa’s former president, Nelson Mandela, uttered this famous line in a speech commemorating the launch of Mindset Network, a group working to improve education and health in South Africa.
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What did Nelson Mandela say about education?

The importance of education to Madiba – Nelson Mandela Foundation On the 1st of May 1970, Nelson Mandela wrote a letter to his daughter Makaziwe Mandela congratulating her on passing her examinations. Madiba wrote the letter during his imprisonment on Robben Island, and it portrays how Madiba valued education regardless of the situation he was in.

• Madiba once mentioned that “It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine; that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation”.
• In this quote, Nelson Mandela emphasises the importance of education in our lives.

Education gives us an opportunity to change our lives for the better. It gives us a chance to have good careers and opportunities of working at any workplace of our choice. By acquiring education, we become valuable sources of knowledge to our societies.

• Madiba attended primary school in Qunu.
• He completed his junior certificate at Clarkebury Boarding Institute and went to Healdtown Comprehensive School where he matriculated.
• He began his studies for a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree at the University of Fort Hare, although he did not complete the degree.

Madiba completed his BA through the University of South Africa (UNISA) and returned to Fort Hare in 1943 for his graduation. In the meantime, Madiba started studying for an LLB at Wits University but was forced to quit in 1952 when he was unable to pay his fees.

He only began studying again at the University of London in 1962 after his imprisonment. In the last months of his imprisonment, in 1989, Madiba obtained his LLB through UNISA and graduated in absentia in Cape Town. In the 1970s at the height of Apartheid in South Africa, Black people were not allowed to study and pursue careers of their choice, or even jobs of their dreams.

Instead, they dominated a large percentage of the domestic workforce no matter how young they were and how passionate they were to study and pursue careers of their choice. Unlike today, even prisoners were not granted the right to education. All this changed when Madiba signed the 1996 constitution through which education became a constitutional right regardless of who and what a person is.

In democratic South Africa, everyone has the right to acquire qualifications of their choice, and obtain a matric certificate regardless of how old they may be. Underprivileged people have an opportunity to apply for government funding to study at any educational institution of their choice. By being educated, we become servants and contribute to the advancement of our communities in building a just society for all.

: The importance of education to Madiba – Nelson Mandela Foundation
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Why is education so strong?

2. Solve Problems – Whether there is a problem with the economy, society, medicine, or politics, knowledgeable and educated people who have a thorough understanding of the situation are always called upon to provide a solution So, with education, you will learn to:

Differentiate between reliable and unreliable information. Identify trustworthy sources of knowledge. Perform research. Recognize partiality. Draw conclusions and judgments. Encourage inquiry

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How does education give us power?

What is the Importance of Education? – The goal of true education is to provide knowledge that allows learners to dissect systems, develop opinions, and even strengthen character, Education’s purpose isn’t only to give children the necessary knowledge to pass tests, it helps develop critical thinking skills that help them interpret the latest news, make career moves, and become a lifelong student.
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Why is knowledge known as power?

Knowledge is power Knowledge is power means that a person has education and a complete control on his life by using that knowledge. Educated persons can easily handle the things in life. Knowledge is the strongest tool providing power to the people and knowledge cannot be defeated by any other power on the earth.

1. We can also say that, knowledge gives power to a person who fights for his rights and compete with the world.
2. Nowledge has created a difference between a man and an animal.
3. Human beings cannot be compared with animals in physical power but, human beings have been the most powerful creature on the earth just because of the power of the knowledge.

Human beings are weaker from animals in the physical power. Human beings get power from knowledge and are not dependent on the physical strength. Human beings are very sharp and sensible creature on the earth because they have ability to change the world with their knowledge, research and experiments.

Nowledge gives power to the human beings to know how to control the forces of nature and use them for getting benefits. Getting knowledge is the important part of our life. Through knowledge, we are able to differentiate between the right and wrong, good or bad. Knowledge helps us in our future planning and steers us to the right path.

It also helps us to overcome our weaknesses, faults as well as how to face difficulties in life with confidence and control on them as soon as possible. Knowledge makes the person more powerful by giving him mental and moral advancement in the life. Knowledge is a very important tool to get positive changes in the society and country.

ABDUL WADOOD,Lahore, September 6.

: Knowledge is power
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How can education be used as a weapon?

Education is an essential need! – Education provides you the tools to improve the quality of life in modern society both economically and sociologically. Education is power and no one can ever deny this fact. It enables us to make the right choices in life and to perform our duties properly.
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Why is knowledge so powerful?

Knowledge is something that will serve you your whole life. The most powerful thing in the world is knowledge because it can create and destroy life on earth, Moreover, knowledge helps us distinguish between humans and animals, Knowledge is the ability to use your knowledge to help others.

1. There are very few people out there who truly understand the importance of knowledge.
2. Every educated person is not knowledgeable, but every knowledgeable person is educated.
3. This statement may sound weird but it’s true.
4. In today’s world, almost everyone is educated still they do not have knowledge of the subject that they have studied.

Besides, Knowledge is something that helps you drive a car, ride a bike, solve a puzzle, etc. Knowledge is something that prevents us from making the same mistake twice. It is not something that you can buy from you have to earn it. The knowledge is something that increases the more you share it.

It protects your intellectual capital that is your knowledge. Likewise, humans have used their knowledge to create things that we can’t imagine a few centuries back. It helps us to convert our ideas into reality and also it helps us to reach the success that we desire in our life. Moreover, knowledge assists us to differentiate between what is right and what is wrong.

It helps us to overcome our faults, weaknesses and dangerous situation in life. Also, a person with knowledge is more mentally and morally sound than people with money and less knowledge. Besides, Knowledge is a very important tool to get positive changes in society or country.

Nowledge gives us a vision of our future and what we can do in it. All the countries in the world that use technologically developed tools and machinery and many other things is the result of the knowledge. Weapons and bomb do not make a country powerful but knowledge does. The growth and development of a nation do not depend on the arms and weaponry the country has.

But with the amount of knowledgeable person it has and it is possible only because of the power of knowledge. Knowledge is something that is so powerful that it can destroy the whole earth and on the other hand is a tool that can restore balance on the earth.

1. The knowledgeable person is the richest person on earth because no one can steal his/her knowledge.
2. But anyone can easily steal your money and power from you any time.
3. Moreover, it never decreases on use and only increases with time.
4. Accordingly, a knowledgeable person is more important than a rich person because a rich person can give money to the nation but a knowledgeable person can give knowledge to the nation and this knowledge can also increase the wealth of the nation,

In conclusion, we can say that true knowledge help person to bloom. Also, it keeps people away from fights and corruption. Besides, knowledge brings happiness and prosperity to the nation. Above all, knowledge opens the door of success for everyone. Knowledge is something that will serve you your whole life.

The most powerful thing in the world is knowledge because it can create and destroy life on earth, Moreover, knowledge helps us distinguish between humans and animals, Knowledge is the ability to use your knowledge to help others. There are very few people out there who truly understand the importance of knowledge.

Every educated person is not knowledgeable, but every knowledgeable person is educated. This statement may sound weird but it’s true. In today’s world, almost everyone is educated still they do not have knowledge of the subject that they have studied. Besides, knowledge is something that helps you drive a car, ride a bike, solve a puzzle, etc.

Knowledge is something that prevents us from making the same mistake twice. It is not something that you can buy from you have to earn it. The knowledge is something that increases the more you share it. It protects your intellectual capital that is your knowledge. Likewise, humans have used their knowledge to create things that we can’t imagine a few centuries back.

It helps us to convert our ideas into reality and also it helps us to reach the success that we desire in our life. Moreover, knowledge assists us to differentiate between what is right and what is wrong. It helps us to overcome our faults, weaknesses and dangerous situation in life.

Also, a person with knowledge is more mentally and morally sound than people with money and less knowledge. Besides, knowledge is a very important tool to get positive changes in society or country. Knowledge gives us a vision of our future and what we can do in it. All the countries in the world that use technologically developed tools and machinery and many other things is the result of the knowledge.

Education – The most powerful weapon against poverty | Aisha Kwaku | TEDxBUK

Weapons and bomb do not make a country powerful but knowledge does. The growth and development of a nation do not depend on the arms and weaponry the country has. But with the amount of knowledgeable person it has and it is possible only because of the power of knowledge.

1. Nowledge is something that is so powerful that it can destroy the whole earth and on the other hand is a tool that can restore balance on the earth.
2. The knowledgeable person is the richest person on earth because no one can steal his/her knowledge.
3. But anyone can easily steal your money and power from you any time.

Moreover, it never decreases on use and only increases with time. Accordingly, a knowledgeable person is more important than a rich person because a rich person can give money to the nation but a knowledgeable person can give knowledge to the nation and this knowledge can also increase the wealth of the nation,
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Why is education so important?

Why is it necessary to get educated? – Even though education has different definitions, there is one thing terrestrially acknowledged upon; its importance! There are infinite reasons why education is crucial. It has unlimited connotations and implications. Here is why.

1. Helps to think clearly: Education acquaints youngsters with the atmosphere around them. It encourages them to be more mindful of their strengths and flaws and teaches them to drive their focus in the right direction.
2. Fills courage to face any situation: Education teaches children that failure is not an end; they should try until they succeed and never give up. It fuels their determination to live in the world autonomously and encounter any circumstances bravely.
3. Teaches values and delivers equality- Frederic Douglass said, ” It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” It is necessary to educate and infuse moral values and frame character right from childhood. Childhood education will help children develop honesty, kindness, generosity, courage, freedom, equality, and respect. It frames better behavior and adds discipline. These values will standardize dignity and equality in the world by warding off the gaps between social classes. And will generate equal opportunities in every field worldwide.
4. Ensures a secure and better future for children: Benjamin Franklin accurately stated that a n investment in education returns the best interest, Education is a fruit-bearing tree which once grown fully, will bear fruits and serve you throughout life. It is a necessary trail to get financially sound in the future. Parents, for the same reason, insist children on studying well and pursuing higher education.
5. Makes the world a better place to live: Children today are the ones who will shape the world tomorrow. Educating children not only secures their personal life but collectively contributes to the development of a more reliable nation and the world. It can yield a better surrounding in which people can differentiate between right and wrong, know the importance of voting, adhere to laws, and reduce crimes.

In precise, education has innumerable benefits! It stands as a fence between us and those wrong paths that teach us after bad experiences. Education should consequently be free so that every person gets benefitted and contribute to building a better world.98thPercentile, therefore, is taking tiny steps in making people and children aware of the benefits education can provide.

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We believe in making education a fun-filled adventure for children where they learn with interest and not with push. We perform what we affirm. So, we also offer free online classes for children in Math, English, Coding, and Public speaking in grades K-12, To avail of this offer, book free trial classes with us!
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Why education is important in our life?

2. Sharpening critical skills – Education helps you develop critical skills like decision-making, mental agility, problem-solving, and logical thinking. People face problems in their professional as well as personal lives. In such situations, their ability to make rational and informed decisions comes from how educated and self-aware they are.
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How is education is a powerful weapon to change the world?

How does education changes society? – The Indian society is very diverse and has people from all walks of life and mindset, but the one thing that connects us all and makes us stand for anything wrong in education. An educated person does not only make a difference in his/her life but also the life of others around him.

1. Provides Knowledge : As social beings, it is extremely necessary that we are aware of our surroundings, our society, and other societies so that we can see what is wrong and how it can be improved. So the first thing that you gain from education is knowledge, knowledge of the world around us and changes that can help make it into something better While education is not the only thing that gives information about the world, but it provides a tool to convert this information into knowledge. So education itself is not a weapon but it gives you knowledge which in itself is a weapon stronger than any lethal one as though you cannot fire it, you know what to do if one is fired at you.
2. Solve Problems : Whether it is some economic, societal, medical, or political issue it is always the learned and educated people who understand the situation, who are called for solving the problem and finding a way out of the mess. This is also the reason why for applying to any position in the government or private sector it is important to be learned and proficient in your craft in order to scale new heights and create a place for yourself. Education helps every individual to:

• Discern good information from bad.
• Identify reliable information sources.
• Conduct research.
• Identify bias.
• Draw conclusions and make inferences.
• Develop curiosity.

1. Fight Social evils : Every society has some of the other shortcomings and social evils that they are trying to overcome. In India too we are trying to fight various social evils like poverty, gender disparity, casteism, and many more. As long as some learned person does not understand how these social evils are eating and hampering our economy these evils will prevail and grow. Dr.B.R Ambedkar took the initiative to fight the caste evil, similarly, Dayanand Saraswati was a learned and educated person who stood for women’s rights. Thus in order to fight these social evils, it is necessary that we address them and plan out a strategy to phase them out instead of letting them grow into our system and daily life.
2. Courage to speak : With so much going around us, we need people who can gather the courage and speak against it all. The courage to speak forth your views and make everyone listen to what you want to speak also requires knowledge and education about your niche. Swami Vivekananda was a perfect example of this. A simple and learned man who gave an iconic and eloquent speech on September 11, at the Chicago Convention of Parliament of Religions. In his speech, Swami Vivekananda introduced the real meaning of Hinduism to the world and spoke about intolerance, religion, and the need to end all forms of fanaticism.

A simple man, he made the world go spellbound with his amazing thoughts which he very beautifully showcased in his speech. Thus, education is the weapon that gives you the courage to speak your mind out without having to worry about who are you speaking to and what other people might think of you.

1. Growth of the society : Education is not just restricted to doing a job and getting a salary, it also includes the many talented entrepreneurs who create a mark for themselves and help in the growth of the society and the country as a whole. Education provides you the confidence to take that first step of dreaming something big and envisioning a life of setting up a business on your name.
2. It gives us a healthier lifestyle : A research which was conducted in central European OECD countries shows that better-educated people are more likely to live longer and have better lifestyles than those who are not educated. It states that ‘a 30-year-old tertiary-educated man can expect to live eight years longer than a 30-year-old man who has not completed upper secondary education. While a tertiary-educated woman can expect to live four years longer than a woman without an upper secondary education.
3. Helps us to be more productive: In these competitive times when nobody is unique, education creates the difference as it is directly related to productivity. A fact states that the more degrees you have the better will be your economic performance. Thus, education is what actually helps industry and subsequently a nation, to flourish. Educated people use their knowledge to research, innovate, create policies, and make and execute decisions that can have a huge and long-lasting impact
4. It helps us connect across borders : With so many different cultures, languages, and traditions in every part of the world, the one thing that stays common is education. Digital education has helped us connect across borders and given the students from across the borders an opportunity to connect, bond, communicate and work with other like-minded people around the world and build a better and productive future.

Learned people also are called to express themselves both verbally and in writing, as a result of which they develop better communication skills. The People learn to use language effectively to communicate ideas, defend opinions and ask questions with and beyond the borders.

1. It gives empowerment : Weakness and strength are two sides of a room that are connected through education. Education helps one from turning their weaknesses into their strength. It gives us the confidence to stand for ourselves and improve our decision-making capabilities. ‘Brain is like a muscle the more people use it through studying, researching, discussing ideas, debating, conducting experiments, and testing their knowledge the stronger their brains become. This leads to better memory and recalling power, improved ability to process information, and leads to a faster and better understanding of the world around thus empowering you to stand for yourself and the others around you.
2. Provides Better Health Outcomes : Education leads to a higher salary and thus a better standard of living. Through education, one gets a better understanding of the need for proper health care thus providing better health outcomes. Educated individuals understand the need for good medical care and thus live in communities and societies which have better medical facilities accessible as their income and knowledge allow them access to the care that they need.

The very famous Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai wrote in her book “books and our pens, they are the most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world. Education is the only solution. Education first.” Thus, revisiting all the above points on how Education acts as a weapon we all can draw the conclusion that education is a great equalizer that helps improve the standard of living, benefits communities, even protect individuals from abuse and expectation.
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What is a famous quote about education?

‘ Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.’ —Malcolm X.
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Why education is a key of success?

Education is the key factor for success. Education gives us knowledge of skills and ethics that has been there in the world which we learn as it helps us to progress further. Nowadays, education is thought of as a way of life where one can not only learn but also share their knowledge with others.
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What is Nelson Mandela’s most famous quote?

15 Nelson Mandela Quotes The curation of this content is at the discretion of the author, and not necessarily reflective of the views of Encyclopaedia Britannica or its editorial staff. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, consult individual encyclopedia entries about the topics.

1. Mirrorpix/Everett Collection (1918–2013) was a black nationalist who spent 27 years in prison for fighting against the country’s discriminatory system of racial segregation.
2. His negotiations in the early 1990s with South African Pres.
3. Helped bring an end to apartheid and ushered in a peaceful transition to majority rule.

Mandela served as president (1994–99) of the country’s first multiethnic government. Here are some of his best quotes.

“Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.” “A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.” “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” “Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.” “I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.” “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” “Many people in this country have paid the price before me and many will pay the price after me.” “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” “Money won’t create success, the freedom to make it will.” “It is in the character of growth that we should learn from both pleasant and unpleasant experiences.” “It is not our diversity which divides us; it is not our ethnicity, or religion or culture that divides us. Since we have achieved our freedom, there can only be one division amongst us: between those who cherish democracy and those who do not.” “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” “A critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy. The press must be free from state interference. It must have the economic strength to stand up to the blandishments of government officials. It must have sufficient independence from vested interests to be bold and inquiring without fear or favour. It must enjoy the protection of the constitution, so that it can protect our rights as citizens.”

: 15 Nelson Mandela Quotes
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Does education lead to a better life?

Benefits of Education are Societal and Personal – Those who get an education have higher incomes, have more opportunities in their lives, and tend to be healthier. Societies benefit as well. Societies with high rates of education completion have lower crime, better overall health, and civic involvement.
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Does education really matter in life?

What is Education? – Education is the medium that gives us the skills, techniques, information and knowledge to know, understand and respect the duties we have towards our society, families and nation. Therefore, the magnitude of the importance of education in life is huge as well as multifold.

The importance of education in life is that it helps everyone develop a good perspective of looking at the world and our society. Education helps us in getting new ideas and exploring new ideas. Education helps a person to get knowledge and improve confidence in life. It can help you improve your career and your personal growth.

An educated person can become a great citizen in society. It helps you to take the right decisions in life. The modern, developed and industrialised world is running on the wheels of education. To be able to survive in the competitive world, we all need education as a torch that leads the way.

Safety Against Crime : The chances of an educated person getting involved in crime or criminal acts are very low. An educated person is well aware of his/ her surroundings and is less susceptible to getting cheated or fooled. Women’s Empowerment: The empowerment of women is an essential pillar to optimize the good functioning of our society and nation as a whole. We can break old customs like child marriage, sati, dowry, etc only by educating the men and women of our nation. The of Right to Freedom and Expression can only be achieved if the women of our country are educated and empowered. We can win the fight against the many social evils. Removing Poverty: Education is pivotal in removing from our society and our country. The clutches of poverty are very harsh and one of the main factors behind all the problems of our society. If a person is well educated, he/she can get a good job and earn money to sustain his/ her family. Preventing War and Terrorism: Education teaches everyone the importance of peace and brotherhood. The importance of staying united and spreading love is the need of the hour. To achieve world peace and prevent war and terrorism, education is important. Maintaining Law and Order: A good political ideology can only be developed if the citizens of our country are educated and taught the importance of following and respecting the law and order of our country. Law-abiding citizens contribute majorly to improving and sustaining the law and order of the country and the world.

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Does education bring success?

Education’s Impact on Success – The Center for Education Reform Education is an essential part of life. It can create an opportunity of a lifetime that many aren’t fortunate enough to obtain. Education is the key to success that opens the door to knowledge, opportunities, and personal development.

My mother strongly valued education when I was younger. It was unacceptable to bring home any grade less than a B, even though she wanted me to strive for all A’s. She knew from the start that we had full potential. I started in a public school. The classes weren’t very difficult. I easily excelled in math, reading, social studies, and science.

Elementary school was a breeze. But then middle school happened. I made a transition from a public school to a charter school. The classes became more rigorous. In the 7 th grade I got my first C ever. I knew this was unacceptable. I had to try harder. What I failed to realize was that it would become more difficult.

• In 10 th grade I got my first F, but it wasn’t long until that F went away.
• More rigorous courses allow me to unlock my full potential.
• I noticed that during the transition of schools there were many differences: different school hours, different classes, different grading policy, but most importantly, a different feel towards education.

I wasn’t sure how it would impact my learning experience in the future but so far so good. Just like my mom pushed me to get good grades, made me take more rigorous courses, made me strive for what’s best, I strongly believe that students everywhere should have the opportunity to these challenging diverse schools.
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What Socrates said about education?

Socrates’ First Account of Education: – Aim of Guardians’ Education: The most explicit account of education arises after Glaucon questions the moderate and plain lifestyle required in Socrates’ just city “of speech” (369a). Caught up in the fun of imagining the ideal city, Glaucon cannot fathom that it would be as austere as Socrates suggests and desires that it be more luxurious.

As soon as Socrates allows fineries, however, the city quickly becomes rife with potential trouble. More land is needed to hold the burgeoning population and its possessions and a specialized military is needed to carry out conquests and guard the city from its neighbors. With the ever-present danger of tyranny accompanying military rule, efforts must be made to curb the guardians’ natural tendency to lord over the citizens.

Socrates suggests that the guardians be controlled through an education designed to make them like “noble puppies” that are fierce with enemies and gentle with familiars (375a). Education in music for the soul and gymnastics for the body, Socrates says, is the way to shape the guardians’ character correctly and thereby prevent them from terrorizing the citizens.

Thus, the guardians’ education is primarily moral in nature, emphasizing the blind acceptance of beliefs and behaviors rather than the ability to think critically and independently. Socrates says that those fit for a guardian’s education must by nature be “philosophic, spirited, swift, and strong” (376 c).

The guardians must be lovers of learning like “noble puppies” who determine what is familiar and foreign by “knowledge and ignorance” (376 b). Unlike the philosopher-kings appearing later in the book, these philosophically natured guardians approve only of that with which they are already familiar and they attack whatever is new.

1. Although Socrates says potential guardians must have a certain disposition, the impressionability of the ideal nature suggests that they must only be bodily suited to the physical aspects of the job since they will be instilled with the other necessary qualities through education.
2. Musical Education: Education in music (which includes speeches) begins with the telling of tales in the earliest years of childhood because that is when people are most pliable.

Tales must be strictly censored because young children are malleable and absorb all to which they are exposed. Socrates claims, “A young thing can’t judge what is hidden sense and what is not; but what he takes into his opinions at that age has a tendency to become hard to eradicate and unchangeable” (378d).

Unable to distinguish between good and bad and, therefore, garner examples of how not to behave from bad tales, children will only use bad examples to justify their own bad behavior (391e). Through the telling of carefully crafted tales, mothers and nurses will shape their children’s souls (377c). Moreover, children are expected to accept whatever they are told with little free-thought.

Radically, Socrates says that anything in youth “assimilates itself to the model whose stamp anyone wishes to give to it” (377b). The implication that children can be shaped completely by education fits with the earlier suggestion that guardians are not meant to have a particular moral nature before their education.

The content of tales is meant to instill virtue and a certain theology in the hearers. Instead of giving examples of appropriate tales, Socrates attacks the great poets, Hesiod and Homer, for creating inappropriate tales. He says that these poets’ tales include bad lies, which further unrealistic images of the gods and heroes (377e).

Gods must never be shown as unjust for fear that children will think it acceptable and honorable to do injustice. Tales cannot depict fighting among the gods and, further, children must actively be told that citizens have never been angry with one another (378c).

• By hearing such tales, youths will learn the importance of unity and will be disinclined to fight amongst themselves when they are grown.
• Children must be told that the gods are not the cause of all things, only those which are good and just (380c).
• Furthermore, gods cannot be said to punish (unless it is for the punished person’s benefit), change shape/form, or lie.

By making the gods incapable of dishonesty and connected only with what is good, Socrates distances them from the world of men in which lying and deception are ever-present. Separating gods from men prevents poetic accounts of the gods from being used as a model for human behavior.

Instead, children must look solely to human guardians and the law for guidance. Good tales must also foster courage, moderation, and justice. Hades should be praised so that the warriors will not fear death; children should grow up fearing slavery more than death (386c). The hero Achilles must be absent from all tales, because children cannot see lamenting or gross displays of immoderate emotion glorified for fear they will adopt the practices as their own (388).

Additionally, tales cannot include displays of laughter (389a). Like excessive displays of grief, excessive displays of happiness threaten the stoic attitude that is desirable in guardians. Suitable tales must glorify and encourage moderation; they must display obedience to superiors and temperance in drinking, eating, sex (389e), and love of money and possessions (390e).

Tales must also show bravery in the face of danger (390d. Most existing stories, Socrates claims, send inappropriate messages and must be outlawed. They show unjust men as happy, just men as unhappy, injustice as profitable, and justice as being someone else’s good and one’s own loss. Interestingly, these bad messages are the same as Glaucon’s and Adeimantus’ arguments against the usefulness of justice.

Instead of being told existing tales such as those by Homer and Hesiod, children must be told speeches about real justice, whatever it may be (392c). Interestingly, although Socrates includes three of the four main virtues (courage, moderation, and justice) among the important lessons of appropriate tales, wisdom is absent.

• The omission of wisdom, along with the implication that the guardians should accept blindly whatever they are told and to be wholly molded by the tales, suggest again that guardians are not intended to be wise and philosophical.
• Narrative Style of Tales: After addressing the appropriate content of tales, Socrates discusses whether simple or imitative narrative should be used by poets and guardians.

He determines that mimetic poetry is dangerous because it encourages people to imitate bad as well as good behavior and supports the violation of the one man-one job principle (395c). But if poets and guardians are to imitate (which they doubtlessly will since Socrates’ whole discussion of the importance of good tales relies on the idea that children will imitate good examples), they must copy those virtues which they have been taught since childhood (courage, moderation, holiness, freedom) (395c).

1. Socrates says, “Imitations, if they are practiced continually from youth onwards, become established as habits and nature, in body and sounds and in thought” (395d).
2. Therefore, the correct style of narrative for both guardians and poets is mostly non-imitative, but allows for some imitation of good men (396d).

Socrates then says that the preference for non-imitative poets excludes the most loved and entertaining poets from the city (397e-398a), in favor of more austere and less-pleasing poets. Whereas Glaucon was unwilling to give up the “relishes” which he loves (372c), Adeimantus, Socrates’ partner for this part of the discussion, willingly gives up his favorite poets and agrees that poets must be less pleasing.

Lastly in his discussion of educative music, Socrates addresses the appropriate melody of tales with Glaucon. Similar to the content and style of speeches, Socrates allows only moderate and austere melodies. Melodies imitating the sounds and accents of men courageous in the face of danger and those suitable to peaceful men are allowed, but modes suiting laments or revelries are forbidden (399b).

Only simple instruments such as the lyre, cither, and pipe are permitted (399d). Most importantly, Socrates insists that rhythm must follow speech, not the other way around. Every component of speech must follow the disposition of a good soul; “Good speech, good harmony, good grace, and good rhythm accompany good disposition” (400e).

1. Socrates says that careful crafting of tales is important because they are the most effective method of educating guardians’ souls.
2. Rhythm and harmony touch the soul directly, so if children are surrounded by tales of goodness and never exposed to bad tales, like “noble puppies” they will learn to love what they know (goodness and justice) and hate what they do not know (injustice) (401d-e).

Learning to love fine things and hate ugly things as a child will help them appreciate reasonable speech and find pleasure in living moderately when grown (402a). By asserting that the highest virtues are acquired through education and are a matter of refined taste, Socrates combats Glaucon’s love for base pleasures.

1. Socrates shows him that with the proper education, a life of noble virtue, including “moderation, courage, liberality, and magnificence” (402c) but excluding sex and excessive pleasure, will be fulfilling.
2. In other words, through learning real virtue, Glaucon will find a satisfaction similar (although not identical) to that of the eros that he so craves.

Gymnastic Education: Having completed the discussion of music, Socrates moves onto gymnastic education. Socrates does not advocate a complicated gymnastic regimen; instead, he says that a good soul produces a good body, and that a healthy intellect ensures a healthy body (403d-e).

• Therefore, by eating and drinking moderately and undertaking a simple physical exercise plan from youth, the body will be as fit as is needed.
• Gymnastics is mainly responsible for preventing illness and the need for medicine in the city.
• Medicine, Socrates says, is only welcome as a means for curing easily-fixed illnesses and should never be used to keep those unable to work alive (406).

Following his discussion of medicine, Socrates discusses the appropriate character of judges. Like the well-educated guardian, a good judge will be “a late learner of what injustice is” (409b). Although never exposed to injustice personally, he will recognize injustice by its foreignness.

1. This ability to distinguish between good and bad without ever having been directly exposed to the bad is the intended result of the guardians’ education.
2. Although music is the most important component in the guardians’ education, equilibrium between music and gymnastics is important for the production of moral guardians.

Because a solely gymnastic education causes savagery and a purely musical education causes softness, the two must be balanced. Socrates says, The man who makes the finest mixture of gymnastic with music and brings them to his soul in the most proper measure is the one of whom we would most correctly say that he is the most perfectly musical and well harmonized (412a).
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What did Einstein say about education?

Education is that which remains when one has forgotten everything he learned in school.
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What is a famous quote about education?

‘ Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.’ —Malcolm X.
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Did Nelson Mandela say education is the key to success?

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” This quote by Nelson Mandela is one of the most famous sayings on the value of education. But why did this quote become so famous and what makes it so poignant? On the eve of our last Cambridge Schools Conference for the 2018-19 cycle on the theme of ‘creating the conditions for success’ in Cape Town, it is fitting to reflect on how Mandela’s approach to education can inspire us when creating the conditions for our learners to succeed.
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