The Ciceros and Bacons would not have been what they were if they had been professors. It was in living life as it really is, rather than in the artificially structured and protected universities, that they were able to grasp the human situation as a whole.

Summary

This quote suggests that individuals like Cicero and Bacon were able to achieve their intellectual greatness because they were not confined to the academic environment of universities. By immersing themselves in the real world, they gained a comprehensive understanding of the human condition. The quote implies that experiencing life firsthand, with all its complexities and challenges, provides a more well-rounded perspective compared to solely studying within the structured and sheltered walls of a university.

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