David Steindl-Rast Quote

The typical circumstance of a child when seen in public these days is one of being dragged along by a long arm, while whoever is dragging the child is saying, Come on, let’s go! We don’t have any time. We have to get home (or somewhere else). Don’t just stand there. Do something. That’s the gist of it. But other cultures—many Native American tribes, for example—had an entirely different ideal for education: A well-educated child ought to be able to sit and look when there is nothing to be seen, and A well-educated child ought to be able to sit and listen when there is nothing to be heard. Now that’s very different from our attitude, but it is very congenial to children.

David Steindl-Rast

The typical circumstance of a child when seen in public these days is one of being dragged along by a long arm, while whoever is dragging the child is saying, Come on, let’s go! We don’t have any time. We have to get home (or somewhere else). Don’t just stand there. Do something. That’s the gist of it. But other cultures—many Native American tribes, for example—had an entirely different ideal for education: A well-educated child ought to be able to sit and look when there is nothing to be seen, and A well-educated child ought to be able to sit and listen when there is nothing to be heard. Now that’s very different from our attitude, but it is very congenial to children.

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About David Steindl-Rast

Brother David Steindl-Rast, O.S.B., (born July 12, 1926) is an American Catholic Benedictine monk, author, and lecturer. He is committed to interfaith dialogue and has dealt with the interaction between spirituality and science.