Sidney Hook Quotes

Sidney Hook — American Philosopher born on December 20, 1902, died on July 12, 1989

Sidney Hook was an American philosopher of the Pragmatist school known for his contributions to the philosophy of history, the philosophy of education, political theory, and ethics. After embracing Communism in his youth, Hook was later known for his criticisms of totalitarianism, both fascism, and Marxism–Leninism. A pragmatic social democrat, Hook sometimes cooperated with conservatives, particularly in opposing Communism. After World War II, he argued that members of such groups as the Communist Party USA and other Leninist conspiracies could ethically be barred from holding the offices of public trust because they called for the violent overthrow of democratic governments... (wikipedia)

Tolerance always has limits - it cannot tolerate what is itself actively intolerant.

Students rarely disappoint teachers who assure them in advance that they are doomed to failure.

Those who say that life is worth living at any cost have already written an epitaph of infamy, for there is no cause and no person that they will not betray to stay alive.

Idealism, alas, does not protect one from ignorance, dogmatism, and foolishness.

Everyone who remembers his own education remembers teachers, not methods and techniques. The teacher is the heart of the educational system.