8.05.2013

Happy Birthday Wendell Berry!

 
“The complexity of our present trouble suggests as never before that we need to change our present concept of education. Education is not properly an industry, and its proper use is not to serve industries, either by job-training or by industry-subsidized research. It’s proper use is to enable citizens to live lives that are economically, politically, socially, and culturally responsible. This cannot be done by gathering or “accessing” what we now call “information” – which is to say facts without context and therefore without priority. A proper education enables young people to put their lives in order, which means knowing what things are more important than other things; it means putting first things first.” 
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“Do unto those downstream as you would have those upstream do unto you.” 
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“You can best serve civilization by being against what usually passes for it.” 
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“Rats and roaches live by competition under the laws of supply and demand; it is the privilege of human beings to live under the laws of justice and mercy.” 
 
(Wendell Berry, the Kentucky-based essayist, poet, novelist and farmer turned 79 on August 5.)
 
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Filed under: Overheard



3 Comments »

  1. What a gift to our culture he is! Would that people would only pay more attention to his wisdom.

    Comment by JoAnn Anglin — 8.05.2013 @ 11:42 pm

  2. Knowing you, I was sure it was going to be Chuck.

    Comment by Mike M. — 8.05.2013 @ 11:59 pm

  3. THANK YOU for reminding us of this extraordinary gift that is Wendell Berry! His wisdom begs to be shared far and wide for anyone who will have the good sense to listen.

    Comment by sambolina — 8.06.2013 @ 11:03 am

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