“Self-education is the only kind of education there is”
American author Isaac Asimov (1920-1992) wrote or edited more than 500 books, covering many different subjects. Asimov wrote about self-education in Science Past, Science Future (1975):
“I also read voluminously and omnivorously in science and history, which not only made subsequent classwork easier but also early developed in me the habit of self-education. And self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is. The only function of a school is to make self-education easier; failing that, it does nothing. What’s more, formal education stops; self-education never does. It was through self-education, for instance, that I was enabled to write a three-volume book on physics, although my total formal education in the subject was one year in high school; to say nothing of several books on astronomy, though my formal education in that subject was exactly nil.”
“Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is” has been frequently cited. Similar words had been cited before Asimov. “Self-education is, of course, the only kind of education there is” had been cited in print in 1926.
Wikipedia: Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov (/ˈaɪzɨk ˈæzɨmɒv/; born Isaak Yudovich Ozimov; circa January 2, 1920 – April 6, 1992) was an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Asimov was prolific and wrote or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000 letters and postcards. His books have been published in 9 of the 10 major categories of the Dewey Decimal Classification.
Google Books
History of the Los Angeles County Free Library 1912-1927
By Helen Elizabeth Vogleson; Los Angeles County Public Library
Los Angeles, Calif.
1927
Pg. 12:
“Self-education is, of course, the only kind of education there is and every agency that can aid the student in personal interest and self-reliance tends positively to increase his ultimate effort and resultant success in attainment of educational goals.”
Google Books
Science Past, Science Future
By Isaac Asimov
Garden City, NY: Doubleday
1975
Pg. 208:
I also read voluminously and omnivorously in science and history, which not only made subsequent classwork easier but also early developed in me the habit of self-education. And self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is. The only function of a school is to make self-education easier; failing that, it does nothing. What’s more, formal education stops; self-education never does. It was through self-education, for instance, that I was enabled to write a three-volume book on physics, although my total formal education in the subject was one year in high school; to say nothing of several books on astronomy, though my formal education in that subject was exactly nil.
Google Books
100 Ways to Build Self-Esteem and Teach Values
By Diana Loomans and Julia Loomans
Novato, CA: New World Library
2003
Pg. 120:
Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is. The only function of a school is to make self-education easier. — Isaac Asimov
Favorite Line
Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is – Isaac Asimov
Posted on 11th April 2013,written by admin
Google Books
Keys to Success at School and Beyond:
7 Tips for Study Skills:
Oxford Graduate Reveals the Secrets of Success
By Mehdi Toozhy
Victoria, BC: FriesenPress
2014
Pg. 88:
Self-education Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is.
—Isaac Asimov (1920 – 1992) was one of the most prolific science fiction writers of all time. He has more than 500 books to his credit.
SteveHardagon.com
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
“Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is.” - Isaac Asimov
Technically, I don’t agree with this quote. There are all kinds of ways that education, teaching, learning, and schooling take place where external pressures or motivators supersede the self, where submission to power or authority is at the heart of what is learned.
But philosophically, I do agree with it. Perhaps my version would be, “self-education is the only kind of education that really matters.” Not as memorable as Asimov’s quote, though, and I’m guessing that was his actual intent.