Word: bane
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1870-1879
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...Frigid correctness is the bane...
Mathematics was the bane of Sumner's college life. He did not even cut the leaves of some of his text-books in this department; and on one occasion, instead of the simple "Not prepared," he said to the instructor, "I don't know; you know I don't pretend to know anything about mathematics." The instructor turned the tables by replying, "Mathematics! don't you know the difference? This is not mathematics. This is physics...
...pick out for ourselves; and since we are obliged, in order to get at the precious bits which are of actual use, to take and digest an elective course for the whole year, we get all that book knowledge which, when without the power of practical application, is the bane of college graduates; while, to acquire this power, we have no instruction at all. The most important part of our education is left for us to seek out as best we may from newspapers and the experiences of daily life. I think that we all feel that this...
...charge a fee for the use of seats, and if the seats were allowed to remain on the field during term time, - being taken down at the end of the college year, - our sporting interests would be far more prosperous, and subscription lists would cease to be the bane of college life...
...application of this text is by no means impossible at Harvard. Notwithstanding the present satisfactory state of things, we all hope and look for a still better one in the future. The great bane of our College, its indifference and coldness, is not yet entirely done away with. We must get more warmth and enthusiasm into our lives. Contempt for work, and silly admiration of and reliance on unused abilities and aimless talents, however brilliant, are fatal. This sort of spirit it is which prevents the meeting of students and instructors under any circumstances but those of necessity. Blame undoubtedly...