“Rarely will you meet anyone so jealous as a teacher. Year after year students tumble along like waters of a river. They flow away, and only the teacher is left behind, like some deeply buried rock at the bottom of the current.”
Analysis
In this quote by Kobe Abe, the analogy of a teacher being like a "deeply buried rock at the bottom of the current" is used to emphasize the loneliness and jealousy that teachers may feel as they watch their students move on and progress in life. The comparison to a rock at the bottom of a river suggests that teachers are often left behind and forgotten as students continue on their journey. This quote highlights the bittersweet nature of teaching, where teachers invest so much time and energy into their students, only to watch them move on and leave them behind.
The Loneliness of a Teacher
Kobe Abe's quote highlights the unique experience of teachers who invest time and energy into shaping the minds of their students, only to see them move on while they remain. This sense of longing and attachment is something that many educators can relate to, making it a powerful reminder of the lasting impact teachers have on their students.
Quote Analysis
The quote by Kobe Abe reflects on the unique relationship teachers have with their students. The analogy of students flowing away like a river highlights the transient nature of student-teacher relationships.
The quote implies that teachers often form deep attachments to their students, who eventually move on while the teacher remains in the same position. This can lead to feelings of jealousy as the teacher watches their students progress and grow without them.
Reflection Questions:
Reflecting on this quote by Kobe Abe, consider the following questions:
- In what ways do you think teachers experience jealousy towards their students?
- How do you think the role of a teacher differs from that of a student in terms of longevity and impact?
- Have you ever felt left behind or forgotten as a teacher? How did you cope with these feelings?
- How can teachers find fulfillment and satisfaction in their work despite the transient nature of their students?
Similar quotes
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“Time flows away like the water in the river. ”
“Memories of the past year came tumbling down on me. The recent changes and reverses were almost overwhelming. I was learning that life flowed like a river. When the run-off was normal, the water ran smoothly. But if there came a downpour, it gushed. In the likeness to a flooding river, life events were caught up in the course of the devouring stream.”
“If you are a student, try to be a teacher; if you are a teacher, try to be a student!”
“Teachers knew every one of the students, their secrets, their grades, their home situations. And all the students knew the teachers. It was like teachers were people who finally were the most popular at school.”