Tradition vs. Modernity in Education
Ralston:
A year ago, I told you I wanted the new style of Latin pronunciation taught. And you totally ignored it.
Mr. Chips: [regarding [[Cicero; about 'vicissim', an adverb]
Oh, that. Nonsense, in my opinion. Nonsense. ].] What's the good of teaching boys to say Kikero', when, for the rest of their lives, they'll say Sissero'? If they say it a'tall. Instead of vy-sissum', you'd make them say we-kiss-'em.
Ralston:
There you are. I'm trying to make Brookfield an up-to-date school and you insist on clinging to the past. The world's changing, Mr. Chipping.
Mr. Chips:
I know the world's changing, Dr. Ralston. I've seen the old traditions die, one by one. Grace, dignity, feeling for the past - all that matters here today is a fat banking account. You're trying to run the school like a factory, for turning out money-making machine-made snobs. You've raised the fees. And in the end, the boys who really belong at Brookfield will be frozen out, frozen out. Modern methods, intensive training - poppycock! Give a boy a sense of humor and a sense of proportion and he'll stand up to anything. I'm not going to retire, you can do what you like about it.
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Hope for Tomorrow's Future
Army General: [watching the Officer Training Corps student parade]
I congratulate you Mr. Chipping. A smart parade and a fine looking lot of boys.
Mr. Chips:
Thank you General, thank you.
Army General:
Very important this OTC work; these lads are the officers of tomorrow.
Mr. Chips:
I prefer to hope General, that tomorrow never comes.
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A Call for Silence in the Classroom
Mr. Chips: [trying to bring his class under control on his first day]
Silence! Silence! I'll have no more of it!
John Colley:
No more silence, sir?
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Teaching Beyond the Classroom
Ralston: [to Mr. Chips]
And when you write that books of yours, remember that in addition to all those boys you taught, you managed to teach something to at least one headmaster.
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The Timeless Impact of Teaching
Katherine Ellis:
It must be tremendously interesting to be a schoolmaster, to watch boys grow up and help them along; to see their characters develop and what they become when they leave school and the world gets hold of them. I don't see how you could ever get old in a world that's always young.
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A Teacher's Legacy Beyond Biological Children
Mr. Chips: [dying words]
I thought I heard you saying it was a pity... pity I never had any children. But you're wrong. I have. Thousands of them. Thousands of them... and all boys.
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Reflecting on Fond Memories Ahead
Mr. Chips: [[Virgil; [Aeneid]
* the phrase is from ]'s ], circa 30-19 B.C.: "In the future, it will be pleasing to remember these things." Alternatively, "One day, we will look back on this and smile
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A Fond Farewell and Lasting Memories
Mr. Chips:
Well, remember me sometimes. I shall always remember you. "Haec olim meminisse iuvabit." I need not translate it for you.
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