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40 Thought-Provoking John Dewey Quotes You Must Know

Famous As: Philosopher
Born On: October 20, 1859
Died On: June 1, 1952
Born In: Burlington, Vermont, United States
Died At Age: 92
John Dewey was an acclaimed American philosopher and scholar, famous for his pragmatist approach to epistemology. Dewey contributed as a professor at various universities and had interest in subjects like education, democracy, psychology and art. Dewey advocated the system of ‘Progressive Education’, consisting of practical learning for both teachers and students. His approach to education was child centered and he suggested several innovative ideas for teaching and learning. His ideas, writings, and thoughts on education and learning revolutionized the schooling systems. Schools and civil societies were two major fundamental elements that he asserted should be restructured. His ideas, sayings, thoughts, writings and quotes are viewed as fundamental principles in child education by major educational institutions even today. Although he had contributed to other social subjects, he is distinguished as an educator and philosopher, adamant on changing the world. Read on his thoughts and quotes that will help you channel your innate intelligence into something truly fulfilling and enriching. 
Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.

Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.

John Dewey
We do not learn from experience... we learn from reflecting on experience.

We do not learn from experience... we learn from reflecting on experience.

John Dewey
Failure is instructive. The person who really thinks learns quite as much from his failures as from his successes.

Failure is instructive. The person who really thinks learns quite as much from his failures as from his successes.

John Dewey
Give the pupils something to do, not something to learn; and the doing is of such a nature as to demand thinking; learning naturally results.

Give the pupils something to do, not something to learn; and the doing is of such a nature as to demand thinking; learning naturally results.

John Dewey
We only think when confronted with a problem.

We only think when confronted with a problem.

John Dewey
The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action.

The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action.

John Dewey
A problem well put is half solved.

A problem well put is half solved.

John Dewey
Every great advance in science has issued from a new audacity of imagination.

Every great advance in science has issued from a new audacity of imagination.

John Dewey
Were all instructors to realize that the quality of mental process, not the production of correct answers, is the measure of educative growth something hardly less than a revolution in teaching would be worked.

Were all instructors to realize that the quality of mental process, not the production of correct answers, is the measure of educative growth something hardly less than a revolution in teaching would be worked.

John Dewey
Hunger not to have, but to be

Hunger not to have, but to be

John Dewey
If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.

If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.

John Dewey
There's all the difference in the world between having something to say, and having to say something.

There's all the difference in the world between having something to say, and having to say something.

John Dewey
Education is a social process; education is growth; education is not preparation for life but is life itself.

Education is a social process; education is growth; education is not preparation for life but is life itself.

John Dewey
Art is the most effective mode of communications that exists.

Art is the most effective mode of communications that exists.

John Dewey
To find out what one is fitted to do, and to secure an opportunity to do it, is the key to happiness.

To find out what one is fitted to do, and to secure an opportunity to do it, is the key to happiness.

John Dewey
Scientific principles and laws do not lie on the surface of nature. They are hidden, and must be wrested from nature by an active and elaborate technique of inquiry.

Scientific principles and laws do not lie on the surface of nature. They are hidden, and must be wrested from nature by an active and elaborate technique of inquiry.

John Dewey
The path of least resistance and least trouble is a mental rut already made. It requires troublesome work to undertake the alteration of old beliefs.

The path of least resistance and least trouble is a mental rut already made. It requires troublesome work to undertake the alteration of old beliefs.

John Dewey
The good man is the man who, no matter how morally unworthy he has been, is moving to become better.

The good man is the man who, no matter how morally unworthy he has been, is moving to become better.

John Dewey
The most important attitude that can be formed is that of desire to go on learning.

The most important attitude that can be formed is that of desire to go on learning.

John Dewey
To me faith means not worrying

To me faith means not worrying

John Dewey
The only way to abolish war is to make peace seem heroic.

The only way to abolish war is to make peace seem heroic.

John Dewey
The deepest urge in human nature is the desire to be important.

The deepest urge in human nature is the desire to be important.

John Dewey
Arriving at one goal is the starting point to another.

Arriving at one goal is the starting point to another.

John Dewey
The educational process has no end beyond itself; it is its own end.

The educational process has no end beyond itself; it is its own end.

John Dewey
We always live at the time we live and not at some other time, and only by extracting at each present time the full meaning of each present experience are we prepared for doing the same thing in the future.

We always live at the time we live and not at some other time, and only by extracting at each present time the full meaning of each present experience are we prepared for doing the same thing in the future.

John Dewey
Like the soil, mind is fertilized while it lies fallow, until a new burst of bloom ensues.

Like the soil, mind is fertilized while it lies fallow, until a new burst of bloom ensues.

John Dewey
The goal of education is to enable individuals to continue their education.

The goal of education is to enable individuals to continue their education.

John Dewey
Insecurity cuts deeper and extends more widely than bare unemployment. Fear of loss of work, dread of the oncoming of old age, create anxiety and eat into self-respect in a way that impairs personal dignity.

Insecurity cuts deeper and extends more widely than bare unemployment. Fear of loss of work, dread of the oncoming of old age, create anxiety and eat into self-respect in a way that impairs personal dignity.

John Dewey
Wonder is the mother of all science.

Wonder is the mother of all science.

John Dewey
Anyone who has begun to think, places some portion of the world in jeopardy.

Anyone who has begun to think, places some portion of the world in jeopardy.

John Dewey