"I am less disposed to think of a West Point education as requisite for this business than I was at first. Good sense and energy are the qualities required"
- Rutherford B. Hayes
About this Quote
In this quote, Rutherford B. Hayes is revealing his altering views on the necessity of a West Point education for a certain organization. He notes that he was initially inclined to think that such an education was needed, and now he is less persuaded. Rather, he recommends that common sense and energy are the qualities that are genuinely required for success in this specific field. This might be interpreted as a rejection of the idea that formal education is constantly the secret to success, and instead points to the significance of individual qualities and decision. In general, Hayes seems to value useful abilities and initiative over official qualifications.
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