the education of men is the only one controlled by us
 Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emile, or On Education (1762). copy citation

add
Author Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Source Emile, or On Education
Topic education self-control
Date 1762
Language English
Reference
Note Translated by Barbara Foxley
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/5427/pg5427-images.html

Context

“if their teaching agrees, he goes straight to his goal, he lives at peace with himself, he is well-educated. Now of these three factors in education nature is wholly beyond our control, things are only partly in our power; the education of men is the only one controlled by us; and even here our power is largely illusory, for who can hope to direct every word and deed of all with whom the child has to do. Viewed as an art, the success of education is almost impossible, since the essential conditions of success are beyond our control.” source