Boy Studying
Peter Vilhelm Ilsted
Study is the bane of childhood,
the oil of youth,
the indulgence of adulthood,
and a restorative in old age.
~ Walter Savage Landor
What say you?
Is this quote true?
Study as Indulgence
Study is the bane of childhood,
the oil of youth,
the indulgence of adulthood,
and a restorative in old age.
A Living Pencil 
What a Charlotte Mason like sentiment! I would agree, though I don’t think that it is actually the bane of youth except that a young child has not yet benefited from the training to not indulge his every appetite and be dilligent. I think that study is the chief teacher of those lessons in a child.
And yes, it does seem like an indulgence when we have so many menial tasks mounting up to do! But again, I think that it is a necessity if we are to continue to be proper and good helpmeets to our husbands and wise older women in the Titus 2 way, not to mention that we have the daunting job of teaching our children.
I guess that’s more than two cents, isn’t it?
I’ll pay you a dollar for it, Margaret! (grin)I’m intrigued by the restorative aspect. Such a contrast to the comatose bodies in front of the TV at the old folks’ homes I’ve visited.
Oh! I like that quote 🙂 as well as the painting.
Well-done FAF.
Yes, I love the quote. It’s mostly true for me, though I don’t consider study an indulgence in adulthood–I consider it a necessity, without which I would go mad. Oh, wait…maybe I’m already in old age?
By the way, I received 84 Charing Cross Road for my birthday yesterday, read it last night and this morning, and loved the dickens out of it! What a gem. I had never heard of it before seeing it sometime back on Dr. Grant’s book list, and then I saw it on your “best reads” list, so I asked for it. I didn’t have any clue what it was about, and, in fact, thought it was a novel.
I also like that quote. Although, for me personally, I wasn’t so appreciative of study and learning in my youth either. But, I definitely find it to be an indulgence now. My FIL has been a life-long learner and I would definitely say his persuits have helped him to stay sharp for almost 97 years (this last year he has lost some of his sharpness though).
I don’t agree with studying (learning) being indulgent at ANY age! I am of the school of, “it’s never too late to learn!” I have always loved learning and can almost physically feel my brain cells pulling themselves together to learn and remember what I’ve learned. I think education, in general, is the answer to a lot of our problems. I don’t necessarily mean formal education, but maybe “enlightening” would be a better word. Ignorance can be solved so easily by this in so many situations!
I can remember the moment as a youth when it became an oil because of a teacher’s brilliant ability. The love of learning to learn became the “other” subject when I homeschooled my children. Now I would say it is both indulgence and restorative, something to relax with as well as be challenged by. My problem now is that I get easily distracted and veer off to something else before I’ve done with the other. (sort of like losing the car). Ah! love you, m
Actually, studying was an escape for me in my childhood–much like the library i’d visit all summer long, my schoolwork was a place to hide from the reality of my life. Back then, i didn’t know there was a choice other than to do my homework, but i did enjoy it. And now i have a 27 year old who can’t get enough of studying and learning…