Horace Mann

Horace Mann (1796–1859) was an American educational reformer and politician who served as Massachusetts Secretary of the Board of Education and promoted universal, nonsectarian public schooling. He founded teacher-training (normal) schools and led the common school movement, advocating free schooling and professional standards for teachers.

Quotes by Horace Mann

Quotes: 2

Habit is a cable; we weave a thread of it each day, and at last we cannot break it. — Horace Mann

The Invisible Strength of Daily Habit Formation

Looking to literature and history, the concept recurs with striking consistency. In Charles Duhigg’s bestselling book ‘The Power of Habit’ (2012), real-life examples reveal how businesses and individuals succeed or struggle based on the habits they cultivate. Similarly, in Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography (1791), Franklin documented his attempts to master virtue by systematically instilling new habits—a testament to their enduring grip over character. [...]

Created on: 7/1/2025

Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity. — Horace Mann

Striving for a Lasting Victory Beyond Ourselves

Given Mann’s lifelong advocacy for universal education, it’s fitting that he viewed knowledge as a primary vehicle for collective progress. By championing public schooling, he believed each educated citizen might contribute innovations and wisdom to society, multiplying victories for humanity. This approach echoes throughout history: the spread of literacy has repeatedly been linked to social transformation, from the Enlightenment to modern rights movements. [...]

Created on: 6/23/2025