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Education is here placed among the articles of public care, not that it would be proposed to take its ordinary branches out of the hands of private enterprise, which manages so much better all the concerns to which it is equal, but a public institution can alone supply those sciences which, though rarely called for, are yet necessary to complete the circle, all the parts of which contribute to the improvement of the country, and some of them to its preservation.
Thomas Jefferson
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Education is essential for public welfare, even if most education is better managed by private institutions.

In this quote, Thomas Jefferson emphasizes the role of public education in serving the needs of society. He acknowledges that while private enterprise successfully handles many educational concerns, only public institutions can provide certain necessary sciences that contribute to the overall improvement and preservation of the country, highlighting the importance of a balanced educational system that addresses both common and specialized needs.

Themes

EducationPublic CareImprovementCountryInstitution

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be used in a speech advocating for increased funding for public education.

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Quote by Thomas Jefferson | QuoteProject