The soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond; and must be polished, or the lustre of it will never appear. And 'tis manifest, that as the rational soul distinguishes us from brutes; so education carries on the distinction, and makes some less brutish than others.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The soul needs education to shine like a rough diamond; education distinguishes humans from animals and refines people.
- In plain terms
- Education refines the soul like polishing a diamond.
- What can you take from it?
- Education reveals potential and improves character.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does education refine character?
- What distinguishes us from animals?
Another view
It simplifies complex human potential into a single metaphor.
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