A truly educated man...by Ezra Taft Benson

One of my heroes - Ezra Taft Benson - because his insight on human nature and surroundings came from his reading of the classics including an extensive knowledge of our US Constitution and other founding documents:

Ezra Taft Benson was born on August 4, 1899 on a farm in Whitney, Idaho and was the oldest of 11 children.

In 1953, he was appointed as the United States Secretary of Agriculture by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.  Mr. Benson  openly opposed government price supports and aid to farmers calling that a form of socialism.

Some of his published works include An Enemy Hath Done This, The Constitution: A Heavenly Banner, and The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson.  He also wrote a pamphlet called "The Proper Role of Government" and can be read here:  http://www.zionsbest.com/proper_role.html.

The following quote comes from his book The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson (page 304):  "With the abundance of books available, it is the mark of a truly educated man to know what not to read.  Do not make your mind a dumping ground for other people's garbage.  It is harder to purge the mind of rotten reading than to purge the body of rotten food, and it is more damaging to the soul."

I love this quote because it is true.  Our choice of reading material has an influence on us for good or not so good. By choosing to read from the classics, we are on the path to become educated people.

In the book A Thomas Jefferson Education (on pages 62 - 66), the author Oliver DeMille lists six reasons to study the classics.

1.  The classics teach us human nature.
2.  The classics bring us face-to-face with greatness.
3.  The classics take us to the frontier to be conquered (the frontier within).
4.  The classics force us to think.
5.  The classics connect us to stories.
6.  Our canon becomes our plot.

We can have a positive impact on others by establishing a habit of reading from classics because they change us for the better! Read on!

The great teacher .....

The mediocre teacher tells.
The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates.
The great teacher inspires!

I am looking forward to being inspired tomorrow (Saturday, March 3rd, 2012) at the Thomas Jefferson Education Forum in Rancho Cucamonga. www.fatjef.com

I remember the teachers who helped inspire me when I was in school. Do your remember yours? It's up to us to pay it forward and be an inspiration to others around us.