Each culture has some knowledge. That's why I studied with Saj Dev, an Indian flute player. That's why I studied Stockhausen's music. The pygmies' music of the rain forest is very rich music. So the knowledge is out there. And I also believe one should seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave. With that kind of inquisitiveness, one discovers things that were unknown before.
Interpretation
Knowledge is universal and can be found in various cultures; continuous learning is essential.
Yusef Lateef's quote emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge from diverse cultures and experiences throughout one's life. He highlights that every culture offers unique insights and that one should maintain a lifelong curiosity to discover new understanding and appreciation for the richness of different musical traditions and ideas.
In practice
In a classroom setting to inspire students to explore different cultures.
When the child begins to think and to make use of the written language to express his rudimentary thinking, he is ready for elementary work; and this fitness is a question not of age or other incidental circumstance but of mental maturity.
Both teachers and learners go to sleep at their post as soon as there is no enemy in the field.
At the bottom of education, at the bottom of politics, even at the bottom of religion, there must be for our race economic independence.
Sometimes, looking at the many books I have at home, I feel I shall die before I come to the end of them, yet I cannot resist the temptation of buying new books. Whenever I walk into a bookstore and find a book on one of my hobbies — for example, Old English or Old Norse poetry — I say to myself, “What a pity I can’t buy that book, for I already have a copy at home.
I had no education whatsoever, and my mother said, 'Oh, you'll get a much better education in life.' I did to some extent, though I always wish I could have tried it.
Sacrifice. Work. Self-discipline. I teach these things, and my boys don't forget them when they leave.
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