“I mean that they (students) should not play life, or study it merely, while the community supports them at this expensive game, but earnestly live it from beginning to end. How could youths better learn to live than by at once trying the experiment of living? Methinks this would exercise their minds as much as mathematics.”
“From the first moment of life, men ought to begin learning to deserve to live; and, as at the instant of birth we partake of the rights of citizenship, that instant ought to be the beginning of the exercise of our duty.”
“A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading.”
“It is only when we stand up, with all our failings and sufferings, and try to support others rather than withdraw into ourselves, that we can fully live the life of community.”
“Experiences that banish irony are much better for living than for writing.”
“Youcan see all of this online. But that's cheating. No computer programcan compare to the physical experience. It's like learning how toplay a virtual sports game. You're not really playing anything,against anyone. You're just a spectator. People are becomingspectators of their own lives instead of living them. But the best partis getting in the game. That's when it's all worth it.”