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" In this way, too, we learn to think for ourselves, and acquire in time a stock of knowledge that is properly of our own growth: which is proof, that our minds are really cultivated, and serves as an encouragement to persist in making further acquisitions."

— Beattie, James (1735-1803)

Author

Beattie, James (1735-1803)

Work Title

Of Memory and Imagination [from Dissertations Moral and Critical]

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell ... and W. Creech

Date

1783

Metaphor

" In this way, too, we learn to think for ourselves, and acquire in time a stock of knowledge that is properly of our own growth: which is proof, that our minds are really cultivated, and serves as an encouragement to persist in making further acquisitions."

Metaphor in Context

This practice of writing is much recommended by Cicero and Quintilian. The advantages of it are manifold. It not only makes us think, and remember, with accuracy; but also tends to form the style, and to give us a command of words, and a pure and easy elocution; which in every state of life is a most useful talent, and highly ornamental; and which, when accompanied with a sound judgment and good address, seldom fails to advance a man in the world. This practice also gives stability to our thoughts, and puts it in our power to review and rectify them, as we grow wiser, and to mark our progress in style and literature. In this way, too, we [end page 42] learn to think for ourselves, and acquire in time a stock of knowledge that is properly of our own growth: which is proof, that our minds are really cultivated, and serves as an encouragement to persist in making further acquisitions.--To a person grown old in the pursuits of learning, and in the study of the human nature, such a record, as is here proposed, of the progress of the understanding in his early years, would be inexpressible amusing, and very profitable. And, though one should not devote one's self to letters, nor live to be old, such a record would be of great use in the improvement of one's mind and Memory, and would amply compensate the labour of carrying it on.
(III, pp. 42-3)