32 Quotes by Mark Van Doren

I have always had the greatest respect for students. There is nothing I hate more than condescension—the attitude that they are inferior to you. I always assume they have good minds.

For Tolstoy . . . anything that human beings do has its glory. . . . I think he can be said to have hated nothing that ever happened.

Bring ideas in and entertain them royally, for one of them may be the king.

The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.

Our best chance for happiness is education.

Any piece of knowledge I acquire today has a value at this moment exactly proportional to my skill to deal with it. Tomorrow, when I know more, I recall that piece of knowledge and use it better.

There is one thing we can do, and the happiest of people are those who do it to the limit of their ability. We can be completely present.

If you look around the table and you can’t tell who the sucker is, it’s you.

Memory performs the impossible for man; holds together past and present, gives continuity and dignity to human life.