2419. EDUCATION, Self-sufficiency and.—
Our post-revolutionary youth are born
under happier stars than you and I were.
They acquire all learning in their mother's
womb, and bring it into the world ready made.
The information of books is no longer neces
sary; and all knowledge which is not innate,
is in contempt, or neglect at least. Every
folly must run its round; and so, I suppose,
must that of self-learning and self-sufficiency;
of rejecting the knowledge acquired in past
ages, and starting on the new ground of intuition.—
To John Adams. Washington ed. vi, 335.
Ford ed., ix, 464.
(M.
1814)
