Passive acceptance of the teacher's wisdom is easy to most boys and girls. It involves no effort of independent thought, and seems rational because the teacher knows more than his pupils it is moreover the way to win the favour of the teacher unless he is a very exceptional man. Yet the habit of passive acceptance is a disastrous one in later life. It causes man to seek and to accept a leader, and to accept as a leader whoever is established in that position.

Summary

This quote highlights the tendency of individuals, particularly children, to passively accept and conform to the wisdom or authority of their teachers without questioning or critically thinking for themselves. It suggests that this habit is easy and seemingly rational because teachers are perceived as knowledgeable and are often the gatekeepers of rewards and praise. However, the quote warns against the long-term repercussions of this passive acceptance, emphasizing that it can lead individuals to uncritically seek and follow leaders, often accepting whoever is in a position of power rather than evaluating their qualities or abilities.