Amos Bronson Alcott Philosopher
- Gender: Male
- Citizenship: United States
- Born: Nov 29, 1799
- Died: Mar 4, 1888
Amos Bronson Alcott was an American teacher, writer, philosopher, and reformer. As an educator, Alcott pioneered new ways of interacting with young students, focusing on a conversational style, and avoided traditional punishment. He hoped to perfect the human spirit and, to that end, advocated a vegan diet before the term was coined. He was also an abolitionist and an advocate for women's rights.
Born in Connecticut in 1799, Alcott had only minimal formal schooling before attempting a career as a traveling salesman. Worried about how the itinerant life might negatively impact his soul, he turned to teaching. His innovative methods, however, were controversial, and he rarely stayed in one place very long. His most well-known teaching position was at the Temple School in Boston. His experience there was turned into two books: Records of a School and Conversations with Children on the Gospels. Alcott became friends with Ralph Waldo Emerson and became a major figure in transcendentalism. His writings on behalf of that movement, however, are heavily criticized for being incoherent.
We climb to heaven most often on the ruins of our cherished plans, finding our failures were successes.
failure
While one finds company in himself and his pursuits, he cannot feel old, no matter what his years may be.
aging
Strengthen me by sympathizing with my strength, not my weakness.
strength
Our dreams drench us in senses, and senses steps us again in dreams.
dreams
The less routine the more life.
life
A government, for protecting business only, is but a carcass, and soon falls by its own corruption and decay.
business & government
Where there is a mother in the home, matters go well.
home & motherhood
Success is sweet and sweeter if long delayed and gotten through many struggles and defeats.
success
Our friends interpret the world and ourselves to us, if we take them tenderly and truly.
friendship
To keep the heart unwrinkled, to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful, reverent that is to triumph over old age.
aging
A true teacher defends his students against his own personal influences.
teacher
Observation more than books and experience more than persons, are the prime educators.
experience
Our ideals are our better selves.
inspirational