If we are to live as men, we must seek to obtain this knowledge or wisdom. It may be said that this knowledge is the one thing most needful for man as man. Since the one thing most needful for a specifically human life is knowledge, and the instrument by which we obtain knowledge is reason, then reason is the most lovable thing we have prior to knowledge. It is the task of education to direct love at the thing most worthy of being loved. The strength of love is enlisted in the pursuit of knowledge.
Reason is no longer in danger from the passions because the passions are ruled by reason.
The fact, if it is a fact, that knowledge of the specifically human things is or tends to be of a negative kind does not lessen its desirability. It is true that some men are more intelligent than others are. It is also true that there are different types of souls in men. In order to determine whether a young man is suited to receive a liberal education, the teacher must determine not only whether he has the intelligence for it, but also whether his soul is a fit one. As in architecture, where the foundation must be strong enough to support the edifice above, the candidate for a liberal education must be able to support the weight of his education.