In those days a boy on the classical side officially did almost nothing but classics. I think this was wise; the greatest service we can to education today is to teach few subjects. No one has time to do more than a very few things well before he is twenty, and when we force a boy to be a mediocrity in a dozen subjects we destroy his standards, perhaps for life.

Summary

This quote argues for the importance of focusing on a limited number of subjects in education. The author suggests that specializing in fewer areas allows for mastery and excellence in those chosen fields, while trying to cover a multitude of subjects may result in mediocrity. It highlights the belief that spreading oneself too thin can hinder the development of deep understanding and expertise, ultimately diminishing the value and standards of education. By emphasizing the need to narrow the curriculum, the quote encourages a more focused approach to learning.

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