Academe, n.: An ancient school where morality and philosophy were taught. Academy, n.: A modern school where football is taught.
Interpretation
This quote contrasts the focus on moral and philosophical teachings in ancient academies with the modern emphasis on sports, highlighting a shift in priorities in education.
Ambrose Bierce's quote serves as a critique of contemporary education, suggesting that modern academies have diverted from noble pursuits of moral and philosophical inquiry to prioritize physical education and sports, particularly football. The juxtaposition of the terms 'academe' and 'academy' reflects a deeper commentary on societal values and the evolving purpose of educational institutions, prompting reflection on what we truly prioritize in our pursuit of knowledge and personal growth.
In practice
In a discussion about the purpose of education, one might reference this quote to emphasize the need for prioritizing moral teaching.
PALM, n. A species of tree . . . of which the familiar "itching palm" ("Palma hominis") is most widely distributed . . . . This noble vegetable exudes a kind of invisible gum, which may be detected by applying to the bark a piece of gold or silver.
Human nature is pretty well balanced; for every lacking virtue there is a rough substitute that will serve at a pinch--as cunning is the wisdom of the unwise, and ferocity the courage of the coward.
Indigestion: A disease which the patient and his friends frequently mistake for deep religious conviction and concern for the salvation of mankind. As the simple Red Man of the Western Wild put it, with, it must be confessed, a certain force: 'Plenty well, no pray; big belly ache, heap God.'
Disobey n:To celebrate with an appropriate ceremony the maturity of a command
NOUMENON, n. That which exists, as distinguished from that which merely seems to exist, the latter being a phenomenon. The noumenon is a bit difficult to locate; it can be apprehended only by a process of reasoning - which is a phenomenon.
PARDON, v. To remit a penalty and restore to the life of crime. To add to the lure of crime the temptation of ingratitude.
Very early in life I became fascinated with the wonders language can achieve. And I began playing with words.
The capital-T Truth is about life BEFORE death. It is about the real value of a real education, which has almost nothing to do with knowledge, and everything to do with simple awareness; awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, all the time, that we have to keep reminding ourselves over and over: "This is water." "This is water." It is unimaginably hard to do this, to stay conscious and alive in the adult world day in and day out.
Education beats the beauty and the youth.
Our youth should also be educated with music and physical education.
Of course there is no denying the possible pleasure of holing up with a fat, slow-moving, mediocre novel; still, we all know that we can indulge ourselves in that fashion only so much. In the end, we read not for reading's sake, but to learn.
Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.
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