Carl Schurz

“ Mark you, I do not mean that every man who mixes in politics should have a thorough knowledge of Greek, for I know very well that a great many men who have rendered essential service did not know Greek, while on the other hand some who did know Greek turned out to be of little practical use. Neither do I think that every scholar should at once make public and active strife for position. Scholars are proverbially poor, and I think as a general rule that the man who devotes himself to public life should not have to depend exclusively upon the profits of office for a living. ”

“ Let them not believe that they do their whole duty when they end their studies and occasionally give an expression of their views, and when that is over think their work is done. No, gentlemen, the scholar like the rest of us, has to put his shoulder to the wheel and take a hand at what is called active politics. ”

“ In order to justify the honor which the university has conferred upon me, you might expect me to indulge in a comprehensive disquisition perhaps upon international law, but I assure you I shall not. I shall, therefore, touch politics gently. You have heard of the scholar in politics. ”