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About this quote

What does it mean?
The author highlights a gap between formal education and practical life skills like understanding taxes.
In plain terms
I went to good colleges but still don't understand tax returns.
What can you take from it?
Formal education does not always teach practical life skills.

Where it applies

  • post-graduation
  • tax season
  • adulting

Putting it to work

  • learn practical skills
  • value vocational knowledge

Questions to consider

  • What practical skills did college not teach you?
  • How important is practical knowledge versus academic?

Another view

Higher education may prioritize abstract concepts over practical ones.

More from James Michener

  1. If a man happens to find himself, he has a mansion which he can inhabit with dignity all the days of his life.

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  2. It takes courage to know when you ought to be afraid.

    Permalink to quote #49
  3. I think young people ought to seek that experience that is going to knock them off center.

    Permalink to quote #46

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