A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.
- Greek Proverb
When I first saw this qoute it shook me and made me realize that it's so true that in a way, it is what we all thrive aspire to. We all want to leave something important in this world that will some day inspire future genorations and at the same time create a legacy for us. It also reminds me of the project we are working on, because the people we will find all did this, they only thought about making the world a better place and fighting for what was right, and in the end, they did more than that.
It also makes me reflect on the fact that the very smart people should share their knowledge with the world; otherwise, what's the point of knowing all they know and keeping it to themselves? It also reminds me of Mr. Blankenship's favorite saying: "bright man's burden" because it's so true that bright men have to suffer with the fact of knowing too much, but I think that can be watered down if everyone cooperated in making the world a better place and not just leaving all the work to a few whom we think know best. The only way to improve society is to pitch in, even if we know that we may not live long enough to see the fruit of our work.
Sara I completely agree with you & this quote. It might take years or even centuries before people's "legacy" are realized and admired. Martin Luther King Jr for example died before his vision for the world came true. Thus, he planted the tree and was unable to sit and enjoy the shade; however, his life's work is most emmulated in our society.
ReplyDeleteI like how you say that people unconciouslu make a difference because it's true. We have all "changed the world" but in small increments by inspiring each other or people from our past. We might never find out but we should all strive to be teachers even when we don't plan to teach.
Lesly,
ReplyDeleteWhether we strive to or not, we are all teaching each other. The question is, who is learning from it? Don't you think that my students teach me every day? You may not plan to, but what you do and say in class can even have an affect on those who consciously strive to teach. This should empower you--all of us.
I really like the quote that Sara chose, too. I think it'd make a great opener for a paper. It relates to everything we've been studying in class. I also like how you made the connection to MLK Jr. Whoever does a paper on Gandhi (non-western world leader)will have the opportunity to discuss his work as well.
Lesly,
ReplyDeleteI;d like to take a little note to your citation to Mr.Blankenship. When you explain his favorite quote as a "Bright man's Burden" and explain it as bright men suffering knowing too much. I just have a different out look on it.
When I see the quote or hear it said, I think of the burden as not suffering but as a responsibility. What do we do with the knowledge and wisdom? That is the burden. As bright men and women; we all should not be selfish with our knowledge. Take Sir Isaac Newton or Galileo for example. How would we know science and physics without them? The same goes for other teachers of various different subjects.
Whooa Jacob, you are so correct. I think that your interpertation to Blank's quote more accurate. I think bright people in the world have the responsibility to lead the others that aren't so equipped mentally. Sometimes all it takesn is one bright person to ignite the fire of knowledge in others.
ReplyDeleteThat makes perfect sense as to the meaning of Blankenship's quote. Our burden is knowledge and having to share it with others thus giving hope to those who may not see it all as we do.
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