"Knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind"
- Plato
About this Quote
This quote by Plato speaks to the value of learning through choice and exploration rather than through force. Plato suggests that knowledge which is acquired through obsession, or force, does not have a lasting result on the mind. He indicates that knowledge which is acquired through option and exploration is more likely to be kept and comprehended. This is since when knowledge is obtained through option, it is most likely to be checked out and understood in higher depth. In addition, when understanding is acquired through option, it is most likely to be remembered and used in the future.
Plato's quote is a suggestion that understanding must be acquired through exploration and curiosity instead of through force. It is necessary to allow individuals to explore and learn in their own method, as this is most likely to result in a deeper understanding of the material. Furthermore, it is necessary to develop an environment where knowing is satisfying and rewarding, as this will encourage individuals to explore and learn more.
"A lawyer without history or literature is a mechanic, a mere working mason; if he possesses some knowledge of these, he may venture to call himself an architect"