Ad Astra Per Aspera | by RS | Medium
A house with a foundation like heaven, A house which like a copper kettle has been covered with linen, A house which like a goose stands on a firm base, He whose eyes are not open has entered it, He whose eyes are wide open comes out of it.
The answer is a school. The riddle was di scovered on a clay tablet excavated from the ancient Sumerian city of Ur. Although the full comprehension of the first three lines of the riddle may elude a modern reader, the meaning of the latter two lines are readily apparent.
Since the first schools emerged in Mesopotamia and Egypt more than four thousand years ago, the purpose of education has been to cultivate refined and thoughtful individuals. In pursuit of this purpose, great societies and great people of the past have eulogized knowledge and silence. Knowledge enriches intellect, and silence fosters contemplation. Proverbs like “speech is silver, silence is golden” have existed in many societies.
Knowledge and silence lay the foundation of an intellectual life. A quiet, intellectual life is not only calmer and more joyous, it is necessary for high achievement in life. But in today’s society, knowledge and silence have become stigmatized. Modern educational and psychological attitudes devalue quietness and erudition. Many children and adults have now come to view a quiet, intellectual disposition as undesirable. Besides, modernity itself has become characterized by noise and distraction — thanks to electronic gadgets, social media, and the easy access to entertainment. The opportunities for quiet reflection have dwindled in today’s society. For many, a calm and quiet life has become elusive. In a world where learning is held in low regard and quiet reflection is a rarity, human creativity and well-being are likely to suffer.
