Through Education Our Motherland Receives Light José P. Rizal (Translated by Frank Laubach) The vital breath of prudent Education Instills a virtue of enchanting power; She lifts the motherland to highest station And endless dazzling glories on her shower. And as the zephyr's gentle exhalation Revives the matrix of the fragrant flower, So education multiplies her gifts of grace; With prudent hand imparts them to the human race. For her a mortal-man will gladly part With all he has; will give his calm repose; For her are born all science and all art, That brows of men with laurel fair enclose. As from the towering mountain's lofty heart The purest current of the streamlet flows, So education without stint or measure gives Security and peace to lands in which he lives Where Education reigns on lofty seat Youth blossoms forth with vigor and agility: He error subjugates with solid feet. And is exalted by conceptions of nobility, She breaks the neck of vice and its deceit, Black crime turns pale at Her hostility; The barbarous nations She knows how to tame, From savages creates heroic fame. And as the spring doth sustenance bestow On all the plants, on bushes in the mead, Its placid plenty goes to overflow And endlessly with lavish love to feed The banks by which it wanders, gliding slow, Supplying beauteous nature's every need; So he who prudent Education doth procure The towering heights of honor will secure. From out his lips the water, crystal pure, Of perfect virtue shall not cease to go. With careful doctrines of his faith made sure, The powers of evil he will overthrow, Like foaming waves that never long endure, But perish on the shore at every blow; And from his good example other men shall learn Their upward steps toward the heavenly paths to turn. Within the breast of wretched humankind She lights the living flame of goodness bright; The hands of fiercest criminal doth bind; And in those breasts will surely pour delight Which seek her mystic benefits to find,- Those souls She sets aflame with love of right. It is a noble fully-rounded Education That gives to life its surest consolation And as the mighty rock aloft may tower Above the center of the stormy deep In scorn of storm, or fierce Sou'wester's power, Or fury of the waves that raging seep, Until, their first mad hatred spent, they cower, And, tired at last, subside and fall asleep,- So he that takes wise Education by the hand, Invincible shall guide the reigns of motherland. On sapphires shall his service be engraved, A thousand honors to him by his land be granted: For in their bosoms will his noble sons have saved Luxuriant flowers his virtue had transplanted: And by the love of goodness ever laved, The lords and governors will see implanted To endless days, the Christian Education, Within their noble, faith-enraptured nation. And as in early morning we behold The ruby sun poured forth resplendent rays; And lovely dawn her scarlet and her gold, Her brilliant colors all about her sprays; So skillful noble Teaching doth unfold To living minds the joy of virtuous ways. She offers our dear motherland the light That leads us to immortal glory's height. Task 1 Answer the following questions. 1. What does education do for a man according to the speaker? 2. What are the effects of education on peace and order in the country?3.What do you think is the meaning of this stanza? And as the spring doth sustenance bestow On all the plants, on bushes in the mead. It's placid plenty goes to overflow And endlessly with lavish love to feed The banks by which it wanders, gliding slow, Supplying beauteous nature's every need; So he who prudent Education both procure The towering heights of honor will be secure. 4. Is education for all? How can one gain proper education?
5. What do you think can be done to improve​