The instructor can scarcely give sensibility where it is essentially wanting, nor talent to the unpercipient block. But he can cultivate and direct the affections of the pupil, who puts forth, as a parasite, tendrils by which to cling, not knowing to what - to a supporter or a destroyer.
Interpretation
Education can develop students' feelings and inclinations, but it cannot provide innate abilities or awareness.
In this quote, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley emphasizes that while educators cannot impart innate qualities such as sensibility or talent to students who lack them, they do have the ability to nurture and guide the emotional and intellectual growth of students. The metaphor of a parasite with tendrils speaks to the dependence of students on educators to provide support and direction in their learning journey, highlighting the importance of cultivating a supportive and positive educational environment.
In practice
In a graduation speech, a teacher might say, 'As educators, our role is not just to teach facts, but to cultivate your passions and guide you through your unique journey.'
Invention, it must be humbly admitted, does not consist in creating out of a void, but out of chaos; the materials must in the first place be afforded; it can give form to dark, shapeless substances, but cannot bring into being the substance itself.
What terrified me will terrify others; and I need only describe the spectre which had haunted my midnight pillow.
I shall commit my thoughts to paper, it is true; but that is a poor medium for the communication of feeling. I desire the company of a man who could sympathize with me, whose eyes would reply to mine.
Heavy misfortunes have befallen us, but let us only cling closer to what remains, and transfer our love for those whom we have lost to those who yet live. Our circle will be small, but bound close by the ties of affection and mutual misfortune. And when time shall have softened your despair, new and dear objects of care will be born to replace those of whom we have been so cruelly deprived.
Hateful day when I received life!' I exclaimed in agony. 'Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust? God, in pity, made man beautiful and alluring, after his own image; but my form is a filthy type of yours, more horrid even from the very resemlance. Satan had his companions, fellow-devils, to admire and encourage him; but I am solitary and abhorred.' - Frankenstein
I could not understand why men who knew all about good and evil could hate and kill each other.
Academe, n.: An ancient school where morality and philosophy were taught. Academy, n.: A modern school where football is taught.
Leisure without literature is death and burial alive.
I believe in the power of ideas, I believe in the power of books, but you have to give them time.
Live in the serene peace of laboratories and libraries
When certain concepts of TeX are introduced informally, general rules will be stated; afterwards you will find that the rules aren't strictly true. In general, the later chapters contain more reliable information than the earlier ones do. The author feels that this technique of deliberate lying will actually make it easier for you to learn the ideas. Once you understand a simple but false rule, it will not be hard to supplement that rule with its exceptions.
The child is truly a miraculous being, and this should be felt deeply by the educator.
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