And now, if I may take for granted that the true and adequate end of intellectual training and of a University is not Learning or Acquirement, but rather, is Thought or Reason exercised upon Knowledge, or what may be called Philosophy, I shall be in a position to explain the various mistakes which at the present day beset the subject of University Education.
I say then, if we would improve the intellect, first of all, we must ascend; we cannot gain real knowledge on a level; we must generalize, we must reduce to method, we must have a grasp of principles, and group and shape our acquisitions by means of them. It matters not whether our field of operation be wide or limited; in every case, to command it, is to mount above it. Who has not felt the irritation of mind and impatience created by a deep, rich country, visited for the first time, with winding lanes, and high hedges, and green steeps, and tangled woods, and everything smiling indeed, but in a maze? The same feeling comes upon us in a strange city, when we have no map of its streets. Hence you hear of practised travellers, when they first come into a place, mounting some high hill or church tower, by way of reconnoitring its neighbourhood. In like manner, you must be above your knowledge, not under it, or it will oppress you; and the more you have of it, the greater will be the load.
现在，如果我可以确定这一点，即一所大学的心智训练真正的和恰当的目标不是“学习”或者“获取”，而是 作用于知识的“思想”或者“理性”，或我们所谓的“哲学”，那么，我就已经处于这样一个位置上，可以来解 释今天围绕着大学教育这个主题的各种各样的谬误了。
我要说，如果我们要改进心智，首先必须上升到一定的高度。在同一水平上，我们不可能获得真正的知 识。我们必须概括、总结方法，我们必须掌握种种原则，并借助这些把我们所获得的东西进行分类，使之 成形。我们所操作的范围是广大还是有限，这并不重要；在每一种情况中，要控制事物，就得高于事物。 在第一次探访一片宽广而丰富多彩的乡村的时候，谁会没有体验过心中的烦恼，体验过那些弯弯曲曲的小 路、高高的围墙和隔栏、翠绿的峡谷和茂密的树林所造成的烦躁不安呢？那里的每一样东西确实都在对你 微笑，但是又都令你困扰。当我们来到一座陌生的城市而手中又没有地图时，我们也会有同样的体验。所 以，我们会听到一些很有经验的旅行者说，当他们第一次到了一个地方，他们会爬上某座高山或者教堂的 钟楼，去弄清楚附近的街道。同样地，你也必须走到你的知识之上，而不是呆在下面，否则它就会压迫 你。而且你拥有的知识越多，负担就会越重。