The History of Pedagogy
References and Quotes
Reference
Montaigne’s Curriculum
Aeneas Sylvius Piccolomini, Pope Pius II, in his tract The Education of Children (1451), prescribes the reading and study of classical authors, geometry, and arithmetic "for training the mind and assuring rapidity of conceptions." He included history and geography in his recommended curriculum, adding that "there is nothing in the world more beautiful than enlightened intelligence." The sixteenth century is filled with theories of education from men like Erasmus, Rabelais, and Montaigne. French schoolman Gabriel Compayre, in his History of Pedagogy (1885), holds all three in the highest regard:
Quote
Used in: Montaigne’s Curriculum
Erasmus, Rabelais, and Montaigne [...] before pretending to surpass them, even at this day, we should rather attempt to overtake them, and to equal them in the most of their pedagogical precepts. (p. 119)
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Used in: Montaigne’s Curriculum
the tender mind of the child should [...] love and learn the liberal arts [...] be taught tact in the conduct of social life [...] that from his earliest age he accustom himself to good behavior, based on moral principles. (p. 123)
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Used in: Montaigne’s Curriculum
Tis the true house of correction of imprisoned youth. ... Do but come in when they are about their lesson, and you shall hear nothing but the outcries of boys under execution, with the thundering noise of their Pedagogues, drunk with fury, to make up the consort. A pretty way this ! to tempt these tender and timorous souls to love their book, with a furious countenance, and a rod in hand. (p. 136)
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Used in: Montaigne’s Curriculum
whatever presents itself to our eyes serves as a sufficient book. The knavery of a page, the blunder of a servant, a table witticism [...] conversation with men is wonderfully helpful, and so is a visit to foreign lands [...] to whet and sharpen our wits by rubbing them upon those of others." (p. 140)