“Every person,” says Gibbon, “has two educations, one which he receives from others, and one more important, which he gives himself.”
–John Lubbock, The Use of Life.
In chapter seven of The Use of Life – a book written by John Lubbock – you’ll find Edward Gibbon quoted as above. This chapter is aptly titled ‘Self Education’. What’s striking about the book itself, is not only was first published in 1894, but that it has as much relevance in helping one understand life, and how to lead ‘a good one’ today as it did when it was first published – just over one hundred and twenty years ago.
This quote is relevant to us all. It serves to remind us of the importance of how influential our environments and those around us are in shaping us. Most importantly, it highlights the importance of the education we give ourselves. I was twenty-two when I first came across this book and its insightful quote. It provoked many questions then, as it still does now.
If you have two educations; one from others, and the other from yourself, the alluding question is – which is the stronger influence? Have you had a firm hand, if any, in the cultivation of who you are becoming; of your thoughts, your purpose, your hobbies, and how you spend your time? Or are you mostly a reflection of those around you? And, on that note, do you like what you see around you? Are you happy to reflect this? We are all taught and expected to filter and control our behavioural output, e.g. being polite. But what about our input – the ideas and information that we’re consuming?
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If you don’t have any hand in your own education or exposure to what is around you, or make an attempt to cultivate who you are – and who you are becoming, then does this not mean that you are simply a product of your environment?
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In professional environments, we don’t usually get to choose who we work with, yet they are the people who, unless you work part-time, you will be spending most of your time around. The remedial action? It starts with awareness. You can regain control of this situation by considering the questions and ideas above. Take time to educate yourself in things you find interesting, or better yet – fascinating. Figure out what you really love and make time for it if you haven’t already.
Why is this important? Well, because it’s nice to have a say in the development of the person you’re becoming. To keep a little bit of ‘you’ to yourself. To perhaps become a richer version of yourself. If you don’t have any hand in your own education or exposure to what is around you, or make any attempt to cultivate who you are – and who you are becoming, then does this not mean that you are simply a product of your environment?
