Ah, pensive scholar, what is fame?
A fitful tongue of leaping flame;
A giddy whirlwind's fickle gust,
read more

Ah, pensive scholar, what is fame?
A fitful tongue of leaping flame;
A giddy whirlwind's fickle gust,
That lifts a pinch of mortal dust;
A few swift years, and who can show
Which dust was Bill, and which was Joe?

The scholar who cherishes the love of comfort, is not fit to be
deemed a scholar.

The scholar who cherishes the love of comfort, is not fit to be
deemed a scholar.

A student never forgets an encouraging private word, when it is given with sincere respect and admiration.

A student never forgets an encouraging private word, when it is given with sincere respect and admiration.

It is important that students bring a certain rafamuffin, barefoot, irreverence to their studies; they are not here to worship read more

It is important that students bring a certain rafamuffin, barefoot, irreverence to their studies; they are not here to worship what is known, but to question it

No one who cannot rejoice in the discovery of his own mistakes deserves to be called a scholar

No one who cannot rejoice in the discovery of his own mistakes deserves to be called a scholar

Students now arrive at the university ignorant and cynical about our political heritage, lacking the wherewithal to be either inspired read more

Students now arrive at the university ignorant and cynical about our political heritage, lacking the wherewithal to be either inspired by it or seriously critical of it

Responsibility for learning belongs to the student, regardless of age

Responsibility for learning belongs to the student, regardless of age

Don't try to fix the students, fix ourselves first. The good teacher makes the poor student good and the good read more

Don't try to fix the students, fix ourselves first. The good teacher makes the poor student good and the good student superior. When our students fail, we, as teachers, too, have failed.

Rocking on a lazy billow
With roaming eyes,
Cushioned on a dreamy pillow,
Thou read more

Rocking on a lazy billow
With roaming eyes,
Cushioned on a dreamy pillow,
Thou art now wise.
Wake the power within thee slumbering,
Trim the plot that's in thy keeping,
Thou wilt bless the task when reaping
Sweet labour's prize.