Education, which was at first made universal in order that all might be able to read and write, has been found capable of serving quite other purposes. By instilling nonsense it unifies populations and generates collective enthusiasm.

Summary

This quote suggests that the purpose of education has shifted from its original intention of providing basic literacy to the masses, to now serving other, potentially manipulative objectives. It argues that by imparting nonsensical ideas or information, education is able to create a sense of unity among populations and generate collective excitement or passion for a particular cause or ideology. The quote implies that education can be a powerful tool in shaping and controlling societal beliefs and behaviors.