A Roman Emperor on Education

We have a page on our website that is a growing collection of quotations that enrich and advance the vision of our school. The following is from the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, who reigned from 138-161 A.D. He is famous for being something of a philosopher, and his book, Meditations, has been in constant print for nearly 2000 years. Writing in Greek he acknowledged various influences on his life, including that of his father, mother, and great grandfather. What is fascinating is that one of the truths he came to see is one that a rapidly growing number of families are embracing today.

Meditations 4

From my great-grandfather I learned not to go to the public schools and to have good teachers at home and to understand that for such things it is necessary to spend eagerly and lavishly.

We all spend our money on the things we choose. The wise know that there are few better investments than in the education and future of our children. Yes, it is unfair that those who choose Christian education for their children must pay twice, once in the form of tuition and again in the form of taxes that support schools they will not attend. Yet Christians throughout the ages have been willing to suffer, many to the point of death, for what they believed to be right, and we can be confident that if we prayerfully follow God's leading, He will bless our faithfulness more than we can imagine. Remember, it is Jesus Himself Who says, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38, NIV)