Amos Bronson Alcott was an American writer and educator, famous for his works Conversations with Children on the Gospels, Observations on the Principles and Methods of Infant Instruction, Records of a School and Concord Days. Alcott was instrumental in the innovating new methods of teaching which focused on communication with students and sparing the rod. Instead of using corporal punishment as a medium of disciplining his students, he injected shame and fear among his pupils which he believed was more effective. Apart from being an active abolitionist, he was a fierce supportter of women rights and veganism. He became a prominent figure in the transcendentalism movement after his involvement with fellow lecturer Ralph Waldo Emerson. Despite of all his accomplishments, his methods in teaching have been criticized as abrupt, non-lucid and erratic. Here are some of the most inspiring and enlightening quotes from this American philosopher, educationist and reformer.
The passions refuse to be organized on a basis of their own; hostile to personal freedom and one another, they rush precipitately into anarchy and mob rule.
Amos Bronson Alcott
Man must have some recognized stake in society and affairs to knit him lovingly to his kind, or he is wont to revenge himself for wrongs real or imagined.
Amos Bronson Alcott
Of books in our time the variety is so voluminous, and they follow so fast from the press, that one must be a swift reader to acquaint himself even with their titles, and wise to discern what are worth reading.
