Quote by Source Unknown
Looking back over a decade one sees the ideal of a university become a myth, a vision, a meadow lark among the smoke stacks. Yet perhaps it is there at Princeton, only more elusive than under the skies of the Prussian Rhineland or Oxfordshire; or perhaps some men come upon it suddenly and possess it, while others wander forever outside. Even these seek in vain through middle age for any corner of the republic that preserves so much of what is fair, gracious, charming and honorable in American life.
Summary
This quote reflects on the diminishing concept of the ideal university over time. It suggests that the notion of a truly fulfilling higher education experience has become increasingly elusive, with only a few fortunate individuals, like those at Princeton, able to truly capture it. For many others, the pursuit of this elusive ideal continues into middle age and beyond, as they search for a place or institution that embodies the values and virtues that make American life so beautiful and honorable.