People have now a-days, (said he, ) got a strange opinion that every thing should be taught by lectures. Now, I cannot see that lectures can do so much good as reading the books from which the lectures are taken. I know nothing that can be best taught by lectures, except where experiments are to be shewn. You may teach chymistry by lectures.– You might teach making of shoes by lectures! Samuel Johnson
About This Quote

Thomas Jefferson was a great man and a powerful politician during his time. As a result, many people believe that he is the father of the American government. Unfortunately, this is not the case. In the quote above, Jefferson shows that he is very knowledgeable in regards to how education should be taught.

In his time, lectures were widely used. However, he is speaking of what can be best taught by books and hands-on learning.

Source: The Life Of Samuel Johnson Including A Journal Of A Tour To The Hebrides, Vol 2

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  3. We shouldn't teach great books we should teach a love of reading. Knowing the contents of a few works of literature is a trivial achievement. Being inclined to go on reading is a great achievement. - B.F. Skinner
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More Quotes By Samuel Johnson
  1. It is necessary to hope... for hope itself is happiness.
  2. I hate mankind, for I think myself one of the best of them, and I know how bad I am.
  3. In order that all men may be taught to speak truth, it is necessary that all likewise should learn to hear it.
  4. Poetry is the art of uniting pleasure with truth.
  5. Whoever thou art that, not content with a moderate condition, imaginest happiness in royal magnificence, and dreamest that command or riches can feed the appetite of novelty with perpetual gratifications, survey the Pyramids, and confess thy folly!
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