“The root of education is bitter, but sweet are its fruit.”

Let us consider for but a moment that age old tale of Jack and the Beanstalk. We know that in the tale Jack trades his family’s cow for some ‘magic’ beans. But Jack was supposed to have sold the cow so that the family could be provided for. We know that eventually the beans greet soil and grow straight up into the sky. We know that after a very creepy series of events Jack loots the palace in the sky (numerous times) and comes up with enough scratch to provide for the family forever and ever. Well let’s just consider ourselves as though we are all jack. At the bottom of our beanpole (root of education) things may not have seemed all that glorious. But eventually we near the top, we peek in, we explore, and eventually we loot the booty of education (the sweet fruit). We can only hope that some psychopathic giant doesn’t chase us back down the stalk, and force us all to become murderers. Seriously though education is just like the story, and the saying as well… it may seem like a long bitter climb to the top, but once there the sweet rewards of success await the persistent.

Now the way Apthonius would have it…

Encomium: A similar proverb states that “When life gives you lemons make lemonade”, I will draw an adequate comparison.

Cause: Education, at the cost of intense focused effort, frees one from ignorance and opens the door for success…not to mention, education ensures that one makes more money in a given lifetime than that of those who gave up on it.

Comparison: If you cannot make it through the trenches you will never be able to claim your due reward. Can you take a decent dive if you only hang your toes over the edge?

Ancient Testimony: A wise man or woman (hard remembering) once said, “Education PAYS!”

Example: Why do people even pursue higher education? Because they seek a higher purpose and position in life.

Contrary: Would one rather drift through the world like a leaf in the wind, both ignorant and naïve? Gullibility and weightless opinions are the cost of leaving education behind.

Conclusion: Invest in education, it is a tough trade but it’s guaranteed to pay off in the end. Education is/are the lemons so go ahead and squeeze them and enjoy the delicious lemonade that they have to offer.