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About this quote

What does it mean?
Higher education sometimes suppresses exceptional talent while polishing ordinary students.
In plain terms
Colleges might smooth out unique traits instead of developing genius.
What can you take from it?
Education can standardize too much.

Where it applies

  • academic policy
  • career guidance
  • self-education

Putting it to work

  • encourage unconventional paths
  • critique standardized schooling

Questions to consider

  • Does school help or hinder genius?
  • How to balance structure and creativity?

Another view

Education also enables talent development.

More from Robert G. Ingersoll

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  2. Courage without conscience is a wild beast.

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  3. Celibacy is the essence of vulgarity.

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