How much a dunce that has been sent to roam Excels a dunce that has been kept at home!
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Cowper suggests that ignorance compounded by isolation is worse than ignorance tempered by experience.
- In plain terms
- Someone kept isolated makes worse mistakes than someone who got to see the world.
- What can you take from it?
- Experience limits ignorance better than isolation does.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is home learning ever better?
- How much does travel teach?
Another view
Experience can also teach bad habits if not guided.
More from William Cowper
Remorse, the fatal egg by Pleasure laid.
Permalink to quote #35 No wild enthusiast ever yet could rest, Till half mankind were like himself possess'd.
Permalink to quote #37 Lights of the world, and stars of human race.
Permalink to quote #34
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