Famous quote by Robert M. Hutchins

"It is not so important to be serious as it is to be serious about the important things. The monkey wears an expression of seriousness which would do credit to any college student, but the monkey is serious because he itches"

About this Quote

Robert M. Hutchins' quote provides a nuanced perspective on the concept of seriousness, prompting us to differentiate in between the act of being serious and the significance of what we pick to focus our severity on. At its core, the quote recommends that being severe is not naturally important unless it is directed toward meaningful and important issues.

The first part of the quote, "It is not so essential to be serious as it is to be major about the essential things", highlights the concept that severity, in itself, is not a virtue. Rather, it is the context in which we use our seriousness that matters. This indicates a mindfulness and discernment about what actually deserves our earnest attention and energy. In life, there are many insignificant matters that can occupy our ideas and efforts, however Hutchins encourages us to funnel our seriousness towards ventures that have authentic significance and impact.

The 2nd part of the quote offers a metaphor with the image of a monkey displaying a serious expression. "The monkey wears an expression of severity which would do credit to any university student, however the monkey is major due to the fact that he itches". Here, Hutchins utilizes humor and absurdity to highlight a typical human propensity: mistaking shallow seriousness genuine compound. The monkey's severity is driven by a basic, instinctual reaction to an itch, without deeper insight or purpose. This is a clever analogy for how individuals can often embrace a façade of severity over unimportant or shallow matters, similar to how a monkey may appear severe while dealing with nothing more than a physical inflammation.

Through this quote, Hutchins draws attention to the value of directing our serious intents towards crucial and meaningful concerns, rather than getting lost in trivialities or adopting an exterior of seriousness without function or depth. This reflection encourages introspection about our concerns and the way we designate our psychological and psychological resources.

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About the Author

USA Flag This quote is from Robert M. Hutchins between January 17, 1899 and May 17, 1977. He/she was a famous Educator from USA. The author also have 14 other quotes.
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